Asbeck Abbey

In Asbeck, a district of the small municipality of Legden, the then Münster bishop Werner von Steußlingen had an imposing double monastery built between 1132 and 1151. Originally planned for nuns and brothers of the Premonstratensian Order, it was firmly in women's hands after a few years.

From a nunnery to a convent for women

As early as 1173, the double monastery became a purely nunnery before it was converted into a ladies' convent in the 16th century. The most famous lady of Asbeck was Therese von Zandt, who belonged to the convent from 1783 until its dissolution. She came to prominence as the supposed mistress of Beethoven. Her two sons also became composers. A separate cabinet is dedicated to her, which is now located in the Hun Gate of the former Abbey grounds. You can find out more about it in the video below. All in all, the monastery existed until 1805 and then became the property of the Prince of Salm Horstmar.

Other highlights at Asbeck Abbey

The Romanesque dormitory is also worth seeing: built around 1200, it is one of the few examples of Romanesque secular architecture in north-west Germany and houses, among other things, the Asbeck Abbey Museum.

Another highlight of the Asbeck programme is the annual "Schnadgang": Noble damsels and brave knights set out together with the Asbeck footmen to control the borders. What had a serious background in the days of the noble ladies' convent and the knightly house of Asbeck - border disputes including fisticuffs and shootings - now serves as a social event.