Laacher See, near Andernach Germany
Roman Catholic
The monastery and abbey church were both dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Nicholas. The abbey came to be known as "Maria Laach" because of its location on the shore of Laacher See. The abbey was founded in 1093 and is one of the oldest and best preserved monasteries in the Eifel mountain range. The Romanesque church was built at the time of the abbey's founding. The abbey, originally Benedictine, was dissolved in 1802. Jesuits purchased the abbey in 1863; they were expelled in 1872 when all Jesuits were expelled from Germany. The abbey was returned to Benedictines in 1892.