Michaelsberg Abbey, Bamberg

Michaelsberg Abbey or Michelsberg Abbey, also St. Michael's Abbey, Bamberg (Kloster Michaelsberg or Michelsberg) is a former Benedictine monastery in Bamberg in Bavaria, Germany. After its dissolution in 1803 the buildings were used for the almshouse Vereinigtes Katharinen- und Elisabethen-Spital, which is still there as a retirement home. The former abbey church remains in use as the Michaelskirche.The buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Town of Bamberg". As of 2016 and for the foreseeable future, the church is closed for repairs.LocationThe abbey gave its name to the Michaelsberg, one of the hills of Bamberg, overlooking the town. With Bamberg Cathedral and the monasteries of St. Stephan and St. Gangolf it formed part of a T-shaped cross in Bamberg's topography.The hill is the most prominent spur of the Steigerwald in the municipal area and with its steep eastern decline towards the Regnitz is significantly higher than the Domberg. This contributes to the dominant effect of the abbey buildings.HistoryEstablishment of the abbeyThe hill was inhabited before the abbey was founded. Excavations have uncovered massive walls and a moat from the 10th century.After the creation of the Bishopric of Bamberg by King (and later Emperor) Heinrich II (Henry II), the first Bishop of Bamberg, founded the abbey in 1015 as the bishop's private monastery. Accordingly the abbot answered directly and exclusively to the bishop of Bamberg. The monks for the new establishment were drawn from Amorbach Abbey and Fulda Abbey.