Hersfeld Abbey

Imperial Abbey of Hersfeld
Reichsabtei Hersfeld
775–1606 (de facto)
775–1648 (de jure)
Coat of arms of Hersfeld Abbey
Coat of arms
Hersfeld Abbey: church ruins
Hersfeld Abbey: church ruins
StatusImperial Abbey
CapitalHersfeld Abbey
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Founded by Saint Boniface
736–42
• Granted Imperial immediacy
    by Charlemagne
775
• City of Hersfeld placed
    itself under Hessian protection

1371
• Forced union with Fulda
1513–15
• Abbot Krato swore allegiance
    to Lutheran Hesse

1525
• Otto, Prince of Hesse, elected
    lay administrator

1606
• Secularised to Hesse-Kassel
    by Peace of Westphalia
1648
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Fulda monastery
Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel
Today part ofGermany

Hersfeld Abbey was an important Benedictine imperial abbey in the town of Bad Hersfeld in Hesse (formerly in Hesse-Nassau), Germany, at the confluence of the rivers Geisa, Haune and Fulda. The ruins are now a medieval festival venue.

Territorium Abbatæ Heresfeldensis, 1645
Border stone of Hersfeld Abbey on the old Werra bridge between Philippsthal and Vacha