In 1137/38 |
the monks from Neuburg Monastery in the Alsace region founded the monastery in Eckenweiher. |
10 years later |
they move into the Salzach valley and begin construction
of the church and "Klausur" (Enclosure) in 1147. The land there is a
donation of Bishop Gunther von Speyer. |
In 1156 |
Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, a member of the House of Hohenstaufen, issues Maulbronn a protective privilege and places the monastery under his direct protection. Maulbronn already possesses 11 "Grangien" (farms). |
In 1157 |
Maulbronn has enough monks to be able to send a founding convention to Schöntal. |
In 1161 |
Bishop Gunther von Speyer dies. A plaque in the chancel of the
monastery church bears the inscription: "Praesul Guntherus pater est
fundaminis huius" (Bishop Gunther is the father of this founding).
Church construction must have been far enough advanced that some parts
could be used. |
On 14 May 1178 |
the Bishop of Trier consecrates the monastery church. |
1201 |
is the year on the outer facade of the west cloister wing, on the second wall pillar south of the Enclosure gate. |
In 1210/20 |
the "Paradies-Meister" (architect of the Galilee Chapel) works
in Maulbronn and erects the porch of the curch, known as the Galilee
Chapel, and other structures with his group of men. |
In 1220/25 |
the "Herrenrefektorium" (monks dining hall) is built. |
Around 1236 |
the lords of Enzberg take over the "Schirmvogtei" (protective jurisdiction) of the monastery. |
Around 1250 |
Maulbronn owns 20 farms (so called „Grangien") and has a closed wall. |
In the 14th century |
first the counts of Württemberg take over the
protective jurisdiction of the monastery, and from 1366 the Pfalzgrafen
bei Rhein (palgraves). The wall ring is expanded. |
In the late 14th century |
the church walls are opened for large tracery windows and the cloister is completed. |
In 1424 |
the church is given the net vaulting still visible today, and at the same time painting takes place in the nave. |
In 1440 |
130 monks and lay brothers live in Maulbronn. |
In 1504 |
Duke Ulrich von Württemberg conquers Maulbronn and obtains the
hereditary protective jurisdiction over the monastery. Maulbronn is no
longer directly subject to the Emperor. |
In 1530 |
only 24 monks and lay brothers live in Maulbronn. |
In 1534 |
Duke Ulrich introduces the Reformation in Württemberg. |
In 1535 |
the ducal "Klosterordnung" (monastery order) defines a change in
the monastic way of life in the spirit of the Reformation. At most
monasteries it must be introduced with methods ranging all the way from
compulsion to disbandment. |
In 1536 |
while fleeing from the Reformation, the convention wanders to Pairis, a Cistercian priory in Alsace. |
In 1548-52 |
the monks return to Maulbronn following the defeat of the
Protestant princes in the religious war known as the "Schmalkaldischer
Krieg". |
In 1556 |
the "Große Kirchenordnung" (Great Church
Order) of Duke Christoph is introduced, and thus the conversion of the
monastery to a Protestant monastery school. |
In 1580/81 |
the medieval "Fruchtkasten" is altered and stories added for use as the ducal granary. |
In 1588 |
the ducal palace is built. |
In 1656 |
the monastery school is reopened following the Thirty Years' War. |
In 1660 |
the monastery school is transformed from a lower to higher school. |
In 1805 |
the Württemberg government takes over all church property through Friedrich I, and thus also the monastery school. |
In 1814 |
the inner gate tower is torn down, and shortly thereafter the
surrounding wall was opened for the approach south of the church. |
From 1840 |
repair measures begin in appreciation of the monastery as a monument. |
In 1869 |
a gymnasium is set up in the Fruchtkasten. |
In 1878 |
the three-bowl fountain is erected in the fountain house. |
In 1890 |
the medieval twin columns in the Laienrefektorium (lay dining
hall) are replaced with copies and the upper floor of the building is
rebuilt in the Romanesque style. Reconstructive measures and "style
corrections" are carried out in many places. |
In 1936 |
the hall in the Fruchtkasten is refurbished. |
In 1941 |
the State confiscates all seminaries to set up boarding schools. |
In 1945/46 |
the seminary is reopened. |
In 1993 |
the monastery complex is added to the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. |