 Schönau was first historically documented with the founding of the Schönau Abbey by the Prince-Bishopric of Worms in 1142.The monastery came under the patronage of the Electoral Palatinate in the 12th century and became a House monastery, abode and burial place of the Counts Palatine of the Rhine.In the Reformation, the Palatinate converted to Protestantism, until 1558 when Elector Palatine Otto Henry was succeeded by a secular caretaker and the monks were expelled.