Offenburg - Unserer Lieben Frau

Offenburg was first mentioned in 1148 and was declared a Free Imperial City by 1240.

During the 9-Years-War the town suffered under the French occupation of Offenburg. In 1689 Offenburg was set on fire and completely destroyed except for the Capuchin monastery and two other houses.

The "Offenburger Programm" which consisted of thirteen demands "in the name of the people of Baden", was put forward here on 12 September 1847. This was the first known demand for democracy in Germany, demanding basic and human rights as well as freedom of the press. It was one of the triggers that started the 1848-Revolution in Southern Germany.

The Franciscan monastery building suffered severe damage when the city was destroyed in 1689. The Gothic choir burned down to the outer walls, the nave was in ruins. The fathers rebuilt the monastery and continued the school operations that had begun in 1660. After the school was converted into a state high school in 1803 as a result of secularization, the monks had to leave in 1808.

Augustinian nuns (CBMV -Congregatio Beatae Mariae Virginis) have run the girls' schools here since 1823. Today there are about 1000 students.