Mainz Charterhouse
Mainz Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery, or charterhouse, in Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, demolished in 1790–1792 but still marked by the street-name "Karthaus". History The charterhouse, dedicated to Saint Michael, stood on the Michelsberg in what is now Mainz Oberstadt, a site given to the Carthusians for the construction of a monastery by Archbishop Peter von Aspelt in 1320. The conventual premises were ready for use by 1324 and were settled by monks from St. Peterstal Charterhouse near Kiedrich in the Rheingau. Construction of the church began in 1330; it was consecrated in 1350 by Bishop Albert von Beichlingen. Following an initial gift to the Carthusians by Archbishop Peter in 1308, the charterhouse at Peterstal became operational in 1320, and the Mainz Charterhouse counts as the first Carthusian foundation in Germany. Emperor Charles IV took it under his protection in 1361, endowed it with privileges and entrusted it to the care of the Reichsschultheiss of Oppenheim. In 1434/35 Dominic of Prussia, the author of the rosary prayer still in use today, was novice master here. On 22 August 1552 during the Second Margrave War the charterhouse was destroyed by Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach. It was not rebuilt until 1613,