The history of Allerheiligen begins with the donation of the monastery by Duchess Uta von Schauenburg, who was a member of the higher nobility of her age and was related to the leading ruling families, the Staufers and Guelfs.
The exact date of founding is unknown, however it lies in the time between 1191 and 1196, when Emperor Heinrich VI confirmed the donation in a document. The Duchess brought the Premonstratensian Order, founded in 1120 by Norbert von Xanten, to her monastery, which also did a great service to spiritual guidance and education in the region. From the late 13th century the monastery also included a pilgrimage which attracted many pilgrims. Construction of the monastery complex, consisting of a church and an enclosure area, was begun in the early 13th century.
Church:
The oldest remains are located on the inner portal of the church porch.
In the middle of the same century the square chancel, the crossing (intersection of nave and transept) and the transept of the church and the eastern wing of the enclosure were built. Then the nave was constructed in the form of a basilica and the chapel erected on the southern transept in the 2nd half of the 13th century.
Enclosure (inner section of the monastery around the cloister):
In the early 13th century the eastern wing, with the vestry, "Kapitelsaal" (Chapter Hall) and "Parlatorium" (Parlatory - room where speaking was allowed), and the cloister on the southern outer wall of the church were erected. The dormitories of the Premonstratensian monks were located on the upper floor of the enclosure.
They could be reached from the church via a staircase. The passageway to the stairway can still be seen today.
The monastery kitchen and the abbot's rooms were housed in the western wing of the monastery. This wing was located where the restaurant now stands.
The church and monastery were probably completed around 1400 and accommodated a flourishing monastery life busy with divine worship, pastoral care, building and administration of goods.
