Pope Gregory VII, and also to rivalry with the nearby St. Gall; in 1540, the Bishop of Constance, an old rival of the Reichenau abbots, became lord of Reichenau, and, under the control of the succeeding bishops, the abbey's significance dwindled. When the abbey lands were secularized (initially in 1757 and permanently in 1803) and the monks disbanded under Napoleon, part of Reichenau's famed library was preserved in the state library (Landesbibliothek) at Karlsruhe. The Geographus Bavarus and several other important documents may be found in the Bavarian State Library in Munich. Since 2001 a small community of Benedictines has been re-established at Niederzell (Sts. Peter and Paul). Because of its historical importance and exceptional art and architecture, Reichenau Abbey (along with other monuments on the island) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Burials at the abbey Gerold of Vinzgau Charles the Fat Burchard III, Duke of Swabia Herman I, Duke of Swabia See also List of Merovingian monasteries References External links 724 establishments 1803 disestablishments in the Holy Roman Empire Christian monasteries established in the 8th century Christian monasteries disestablished in the 19th century Religious organizations disestablished in 1803 States and territories established in the 720s States and territories disestablished in the 1540s Imperial abbeys Monasteries in Baden-Württemberg Benedictine monasteries in Germany Merovingian architecture Landmarks in Germany