Founded by the Dukes of Zähringen in 1093 as their burial place, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter existed for more than 700 years until it was abolished by the House of Baden in 1806. The monastery buildings were then used as a seminary for over 160 years. Since 2006, the former abbey has been home to the St. Peter's Spiritual Centre.
The current monastery complex was built in the 18th century by master builder Peter Thumb. The total construction time of around 50 years provides an overview of the architecture and art of the Baroque period: from the early Baroque church in the style of the Vorarlberg cathedral scheme to the library, the most beautiful rococo room in Breisgau, to early works of Classicism in the Fürstensaal.
A special feature is the largely preserved imagery of the history of the monastery and the life of St Benedict in the corridors.