Altbronn Abbey
Christian·France·Former Abbey / Sold Property·19th century
Altbronn Abbey, officially Our Lady of Mercy Abbey, was a Trappistine nunnery located in Ergersheim, Bas-Rhin, France. Established in 1825 by nuns fleeing revolutionary periods, it grew significantly and eventually relocated to the Altbronn site near Ergersheim in 1894, named after a 14th-century pilgrimage. The community, which had become too small by the early 21st century, sold the abbey in 2009 and moved to Baumgarten Abbey.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1825 by nuns who had fled France during revolutionary periods.
- ›Relocated to the Altbronn site near Ergersheim in 1894.
- ›Named after a local pilgrimage site that has existed since 1397.
- ›The abbey was canonically approved on July 8, 1927.
- ›The community sold the abbey in 2009 due to its declining size and external disturbances.
- ›The former noble property was transformed into a monastery by architect Dacheux.
Neoclassical
Located On A 4-Hectare Land, Named After A Local Pilgrimage Site
- Our Lady of Mercy Abbey
- Abbey of Our Lady of Altbronn
- Abbatia Beate Mariae De Altbronn
- Abbaye Notre-Dame-De-La-MiséRicorde D'Altbronn
Mother Augustin De Chabannes, Mother Edmond Paul De Barth, Mother Helena Van De Broech, Marie-Odile Faller
- Nuns Fled From France During the Revolutionary and Imperial Periods.
- Settled At the Altbronn Site In 1894.
- Canonical Approval On July 8, 1927.
- Sale of the Abbey and Move To Baumgarten Abbey In 2009.
About Altbronn Abbey
Altbronn Abbey, officially known as Our Lady of Mercy Abbey (Latin: Abbatia Beate Mariae de Altbronn; French: Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-la-Miséricorde d'Altbronn), was a Trappistine nunnery situated in Ergersheim, Bas-Rhin, in northeastern France.
History and Development
The origins of the community at Altbronn trace back to 1815 and 1825, when monks and nuns fled France during the Revolutionary and Imperial periods and established communities in Westphalia. In 1825, 34 nuns settled in a monastery built by monks who had returned from exile. This mother house, Oelenberg Abbey in Haut-Rhin, grew significantly, leading to the founding of several daughter houses. As the community expanded, with 84 nuns recorded in 1893, Oelenberg became too small. Consequently, 80 nuns relocated to the Abbey of Our Lady of Altbronn near Ergersheim, Bas-Rhin. This new site was named after a local pilgrimage that had been active since 1397. The abbey received canonical approval on July 8, 1927.
The site at Ergersheim was formerly a noble property constructed in 1826 by the Simonis family. Architect Dacheux was responsible for transforming the building into a monastery, with the foundation stone laid on September 9, 1894. The abbey spanned a 4-hectare land.
Community and Dissolution
By the early 21st century, the community at Altbronn had dwindled. In 2000, there were 20 nuns, and by 2009, this number had reduced to 17. The community also faced disturbances due to the demographic growth of the surrounding village and increasing noise levels. In response to these challenges, on December 3, 2009, the nuns decided to sell the abbey and move to Baumgarten Abbey in the neighboring village of Bernardvillé.
Notable Figures
Several abbesses led the community through its various stages. During periods of exile, Mother Augustin de Chabannes, Mother Edmond Paul de Barth, and Mother Helena Van de Broech served as leaders. At Ergersheim, Marie-Odile Faller has been the abbess since December 3, 2009, overseeing the community's relocation to Baumgarten.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Altbronn Abbey founded?
The community of nuns that would eventually form Altbronn Abbey was founded in 1825. They settled at the Altbronn site near Ergersheim in 1894.
What religious order was Altbronn Abbey part of?
Altbronn Abbey was a Trappistine nunnery, belonging to the Cistercian Order.
Where is Altbronn Abbey located?
Altbronn Abbey is located in Ergersheim, Bas-Rhin, in northeastern France.
Why did the community leave Altbronn Abbey?
The community decided to sell the abbey in 2009 because it had become too small, with only 17 nuns in 2009. They were also disturbed by the demographic growth of the village and increasing noise.
What happened to the nuns after they left Altbronn?
After selling the abbey, the nuns moved to Baumgarten Abbey in the nearby village of Bernardvillé.
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