Asbeck Abbey with dormitory

The dormitory in Asbeck was founded in the 12th century as a double monastery of the Premonstratensians. Later it served purely as a nunnery before being converted into a free-world ladies' convent in the 16th century. The institution existed until the secularisation in 1805. Today, the monastery surprises with a museum that houses parts of the important church treasure of the former monastery. Embedded in the quaint village centre, the dormitory is definitely worth a visit.

The foundation of the double monastery, which was initially under the order of the Premonstratensians, goes back to the nobleman Wickerus von Wettringen. Date: in the 11th century under Bishop Werner of Münster. Near an already existing parish church, the monastery was established under the Rule of Augustine. As early as 1173, the church in Legden was incorporated, whereupon the monastery was also converted into a pure nunnery.

Under Bishop Hermann II, the monastery complex received further land. At this time there were already about 40 ladies living in the convent.

The considerable wealth came together especially through donations from the bishops and the nobility. It can still be seen today in the art treasures of the church, which are exhibited in the local museum - in the former dormitory. As a result of its growing prestige, efforts were made from 1480 onwards to convert the monastery into a ladies' convent. Here the dress code of the ladies changed for the first time. From 1533, they were also allowed to wear secular clothing outside the monastery, which meant that it had been run as a free, noble ladies' monastery ever since.

This is also attested to by a visitation in 1616, which showed that although the nuns lived according to the Augustinian rule, they did not have to take vows and were free to leave the convent. The most famous collegiate lady of Asbeck was Therese von Zant, who belonged to the convent from 1783 until its dissolution. She came to prominence as Beethoven's supposed mistress. Her two sons also became composers. A separate cabinet is dedicated to her, which is now located in the Hunnenpforte of the former abbey grounds.

The monastery was dissolved at the time of secularisation in 1805.

After the dissolution of the monastery, most parts were demolished. A special feature here is the two-storey arcade gallery of the former cloister, which has a real long-distance journey behind it: in 1867 the arcature was demolished and used for the construction of the Diocesan Museum in Münster. When the museum itself was demolished almost 100 years later, the building elements returned to Asbeck. Thanks to a lucky find in the attic and voluntary commitment, the gallery was rebuilt in its original location in 2004.

• Interior tours of the buildings belonging to the dormitory are only possible during the stated opening hours.
• Today, the buildings include: the Hunnenpforte, the bakehouse, the abbess's house, the remains of the cloister with adjoining museum and the monastery church.
• The Heimatverein Asbeck e.V. offers guided tours of the dormitory and the abbey village of Asbeck all year round (by appointment). The tours can be individually adapted to the wishes of the visitors.
  
• Outside tours of the dormitory and Asbeck Abbey Village are possible at any time.