The history of Kloster Hornbach

Kloster Hornbach looks back upon a diversified past. The last 1,250 years brought incisive changes for the town and the monastery in times that alternated between prosperity and devastation.

742
The Monastery of Hornbach is founded by Pirminius. In all probability, the structure at that time consisted of only one nave and apse. The church was surrounded by edifices indispensable to the activities of the monastery and the Benedictines.

753
Pirminius, who will later be canonized, dies and is buried in the abbey. The period following Pirminius’ death is one that is marked by growing prosperity and regional importance of the monastery.

829
Founding of the monastery school to educate the young aristocracy in languages, religion and secular sciences. The school was held in high esteem by influential personalities and sovereigns of the time, as reflected by the unrestricted privileges it enjoyed.

865
The relics of Pope Fabian are attested at Hornbach.

1072
Emperor Henry appoints the abbey as a proprietary monastery.

1135
Henry the 5th grants coinage rights to the monastery.

As was common with all rich Benedictine monasteries, a seminary was added to Hornbach in the 12th century. The abbey church was named after Pope St. Fabian, who died a martyr death.

1275
Pope Gregory the 10th places the town of Hornbach under his pontifical auspices.

1352
Emperor Karl the 4th confers town privileges to Hornbach.

1533
Hieronymus Bock, who developed the science of medicinal herbs, is called to serve as the Canon of St. Fabian’s.

The Reformation brought significant changes in ecclesial life which ultimately led to the demise of the monastery.

1558
Duke Wolfgang von Zweibrücken closed the monastery.

1559
A Lutheran school is established in the former monastery and later develops into the Herzog-Wolfgang-Gymnasium in Zweibrücken. The St. Fabian Church is converted into living quarters for the school director.

1575
Church officials move the mortal remains of Pirminius to the Jesuit church in Innsbruck, Austria. The original sepulchre on the hotel grounds is marked by a sign.

The wars of the 17th century and the Cholera both took their toll and brought unspeakable suffering to Hornbach. During the Dutch war in spring 1677, the French destroyed parts of the city and the monastery by fire. The abbey fell into ruin.

1798
A freedom pole, styled after those of the French, is erected for the first time on the Hornbach market place.

1913
Inauguration of railroad service to Hornbach.

1939
First acts of war.

1956/57
A memorial is erected over Pirminius’ burial site.

1991
The town of Hornbach is accepted to the Rhineland-Palatinate urban development program.

Following comprehensive research, the city of Hornbach and associated municipalities agree upon new development of the monastery for its future use as a hotel.

1992
Restoration of the northern cross-coat and the St. Fabian Church.

1992
Kloster Hornbach celebrates its 1.250th anniversary.

1995
Dedication of the restored St. Fabian Church.

Beginning in 1996, extensive restoration work was carried out throughout the monastery. The culmination of the work was marked by the hotel opening on March 20th, 2000.

Please follow this link for another interesting look behind the historical scenes of Kloster Hornbach.

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