Wedinghausen Monastery

The history of Wedinghausen Monastery manifests itself as an integral part of European cultural history, the scope of which transcends regional dimensions. Established as an expiatory monastery after the fratricide of Count Henry I of Arnsberg in 1170, Wedinghausen served as the place of origin and preservation of important medieval manuscripts, which are now part of the Unesco World Documentary Heritage. An important chapter is the preservation of the Cologne Cathedral treasury, which found protection in Wedinghausen Monastery during the Napoleonic turmoil. After secularization in 1803, parts of the sacred building fabric were destroyed. Today, the monastery courtyard with its two historic cloisters and the newly designed light house presents a synthesis of historic architecture and contemporary design.