Essen Abbey, Imperial monastery in Essen, Germany
The abbey complex includes a central minster church surrounded by residential buildings for noble women who served as canonesses in medieval times.
Founded in 845 by Bishop Altfrid of Hildesheim, the monastery obtained imperial immediacy between 874 and 947, granting direct authority under the emperor.
The monastery treasury contains the Golden Madonna, which stands as the earliest known statue of Mary created north of the Alps.
The former abbey church functions as Essen Cathedral since 1958, maintaining regular religious services and displaying historical artifacts in its treasury.
The canonesses at this monastery maintained unusual freedoms, as they did not take permanent vows and retained the option to leave for marriage.
Location: Hesse
Inception: 9 century
GPS coordinates: 51.45583,7.01361
Latest update: May 11, 2025 16:47
Essen Minster
33 m
Lichtburg
117 m
Golden Madonna of Essen
0 m
Old Synagogue
221 m
Essen City Hall
389 m
Grillo-Theater
154 m
Hotel Handelshof
371 m
Essen Cathedral Treasury
38 m
Burggymnasium Essen
141 m
Kreuzeskirche
431 m
Haus der Technik
383 m
Deutschlandhaus
339 m
Marktkirche
171 m
Stratmanns Theater Europahaus
197 m
Friedenskirche
208 m
St. Johann Baptist
38 m
City Tower Essen
579 m
Hauptpost Essen
421 m
Glockenspiel
221 m
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal
83 m
Alfred Krupp monument, Essen
159 m
Baedekerhaus
96 m
St. Quintins-Kapelle
43 m
Eickhaus
296 m
Blum-Haus (Essen)
97 m
Simon Hirschland Bank
375 m
Das Kleine Theater Essen
428 m
Jahrhundertbrunnen Essen
198 mReviews
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