St. Mang’s Abbey – Fussen – Germany
The Abbey of Saint Mang pictured above, was founded in the 9th century by the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg a Benedictine order. Its name is derived from a Catholic missionary known as the Hermit Magnus of Fussen and the Apostle of the Allgäu. While the spiritual basis for its founding was St. Mang, it also served a strategic value in its location on a well known trade route through the Alps.
Much of the Baroque-style abbey that visitors see today was built between 1696 and 1726 during the Counter-Reformation.
Fussen is located in southern Germany at the base of the Bavarian Alps. Besides the abbey, Fussen is well known for its medieval town center, and the numerous castles that are close by. They include, Hohes Schloss, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace.
Fussen: Official Website
Suggested Reading:
Lonely Planet Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest (Travel Guide)
The Lord as Their Portion: The Story of the Religious Orders and How They Shaped Our World – Elizabeth Rapley
A Concise History of Germany – Mary Fulbrook