Hohenburg or Odilienberg

Hohenburg or Odilienberg an old, celebrated monastery on the Rhine, is said to have been founded by duke Ethicot, whose daughter Odilia was the first abbess. She is supposed to have died in 720. This monastery was celebrated for many years for the great learning of its inmates and the encouragement which it gave to all who devoted themselves to literary labors. About 1429, this, as well as the monastery at the foot of the hill, said to have been founded by Odilia, in order to save weary travelers the task of ascending the mount, was closed. One of the works published by an abbess of this monastery (Herrad, 1167), Hortus deliciarum, in Latin, contains contributions to Biblical history and to the entire field of theology. See Albricht, History von Hohenb. (Schletstadt, 1751, 4to); Silbermann, Beschreib. v. Hohenb. (Strasb. 1781 and 1835); Rettberg, Kirchen-Gesch. Deutschl. 2, 75-79; Mabillon, Ann. 1, 488 sq., 599; 2, 58; Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lex. 5, 277. (J. H. W.)