Ebrach Abbey

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Ebrach Abbey (Kloster Ebrach) was a Cistercian monastery in Ebrach in Oberfranken, Bavaria, Germany.

[edit] Abbey

The abbey, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Nicholas, was founded in 1126 or 1127 by Conrad III of Germany, his consort Gertrud and various Frankish nobles, including Berno and Richwin. It was settled by twelve monks from Morimond Abbey in Burgundy, under the first abbot, Adam of Ebrach. It was dissolved during the secularisation of Bavaria in 1803. The abbey church became the local parish church.

[edit] Prison

Since 1851 the premises have served as a prison - Justizvollzugsanstalt Ebrach - and since 1958 as a young offenders' institution. A museum and some remains of the abbey buildings can still be seen on guided tours.