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In the year 1098 the itinerant preacher Robert von Molesme in Burgund founded the monastery of Cîteaux (Latin: "Cistercium”). In contrast to the pompous lifestyle of the monks of the congregation of Cluny the Cistercians laid great emphasis on an ascetic way of life and the ideal conception of poverty. The Cistercians refused ornaments and decorations on their buildings and their habit. The Cistercian Order rendered outstanding services to many things in most different ways: They mainly settled down in almost impassable, densely forested areas and cultivated the land, drained swamplands and cleared forests. In 1127 the first Franconian Cistercian monastery was founded in Ebrach, five years later the monastery in Langheim. Noblemen preferred to donate monasteries used by Cistercians, because the Cistercians monks and nuns were well-known for their skill and hard work concerning craftsmanship.
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Therefore Cistercian monasteries needed only little basic equipment so that also noblemen, which were not very rich, were able to afford foundation.
On 28th December 1279 Count Otto wrote into the deed of foundation of Himmelkron monastery: "Given by divine inspiration to the forgiveness of all our sins and as a remedy to cure our souls.” With this he left his "castrum Pretzendorf” to the Cistercian Order to establish a monastery which should receive the name "Corona coeli” – Himmelkron.
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Himmelkron
