Lorsch Abbey, otherwise the Imperial Abbey of Lorsch (Reichsabtei Lorsch; Laureshamense Monasterium or Laurissa), is a former Imperial abbey in Lorsch, Germany, about east of Worms. It was one of the most renowned monasteries of the Carolingian Empire. Even in its ruined state, its remains are among the most important pre-Romanesque–Carolingian style buildings in Germany. Its chronicle, entered in the Lorscher Codex compiled in the 1170s (now in the state archive at Würzburg), is a fundamental document for early medieval German history. Another famous document from the monastic library is the Codex Aureus of Lorsch. In 1991 the ruined abbey was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its architectural and historical importance.
The following historical names have been recorded:
In the 8th century: Laurisham
In the 9th century: Lorishaim
9th and 11th centuries: Loresham
9th–10th centuries: Laurishaim
10th century: Laresham
10th–12th centuries: Lareshaeim and Lauresheim
11th–12th centuries: Lauresham
11th century: Larsem, Loraszam, Lorozam, Lorisham
12th century: Laurisca, Laurisham, Laureshan, Loressam, Lorisheym, Lorscheim, Lors
The abbey was founded in 764 by the Frankish Count Cancor and his widowed mother, Williswinda, as a proprietary church (Eigenkirche) and monastery on their estate, Laurissa. It was dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The founders entrusted its government to Cancor's cousin, Chrodegang (Archbishop of Metz), who became its first abbot. The monastery was settled by Benedictines from Gorze Abbey near Metz.
The pious founders enriched the new abbey with further donations. To make the abbey popular as a shrine and a place of pilgrimage, Chrodegang obtained from Pope Paul I the body of Saint Nazarius, martyred at Rome with three companions under Diocletian.
On 11 July 765, the sacred relics arrived and with great solemnity were deposited in the basilica of the monastery. In 766 Chrodegang resigned from the office of abbot, in favour of his other duties as Archbishop of Metz.