Höxter | Corvey Testimonials

Corvey Abbey was founded in 822 in the immediate vicinity of Höxter. Emperor Louis the Pious donated the town and surrounding area to the imperial abbey. The inhabitants of Höxter, who were dependent on Corvey, also benefited from the foundation of the monastery and its patron saint Vitus: with Corvey's support, Höxter rose to become a market town, the inhabitants were granted their own rights and were able to build a bridge over the Weser and a city wall.

With the striving for greater independence, the relationship with the city's ruler deteriorated drastically in the 13th century. The people of Höxter destroyed the town of Corvey, which had been founded by the abbot at the monastery, and the Brunsburg castle, which belonged to the sovereign. In view of the weakness of the abbey, they were able to gain a great deal of autonomy in the 14th century. It was not until 1674 that the town had to submit completely to the abbot again. Corvey's rule ended in 1803 with the dissolution of the ecclesiastical principality.

Numerous places, buildings and signs in Höxter bear witness to the almost thousand-year presence of Corvey Abbey.