Their possessions were inherited by the House of Hohenstaufen, remained the protectors of the monastery until it transferred authority over the Comburg to the now Free Imperial City of Schwäbisch Hall in 1348.

[4] Under its third abbot, Hertwig of Hirsau, the Comburg reached the apex of its fortunes in the early 13th century,[2][5] operating a scriptorium and possibly a metal foundry on its grounds.

In the 14th century, however, the Comburg faced economic downturn and began to borrow money, occasionally being obliged to pledge its treasures as collateral.

[2] This close connection with Würzburg allowed the Comburg to survive the Reformation and retain its properties, despite Schwäbisch Hall and the surrounding towns converting to Protestantism.

[2] From 1807 to 1810, the Comburg was the residence of Prince Paul of Württemberg and Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Hildburghausen as exiles from the court in Stuttgart for their opposition to Frederick's alliance with Napoleon.

[6] In April 1817, Frederick assigned the Comburg to the Württemberg Invalids Honor Corps [de], which he had created in 1806 and originally stationed in Stuttgart, for the residence of its members and their families.

Between 1936 and 1945, the Comburg was used for a variety of purposes, including a Hitler Youth center, a dormitory for forced laborers, and, eventually, a displaced persons camp.

At the top of the hill, forming the center of the complex, is the Church of St. Nicholas [de] the cloister attached to its west end,[8] which are surrounded by dormitories.

[9] The original abbey church, a two-story tall Romanesque basilica,[1] was built from 1078 to 1088,[8] when it was consecrated by Adalbero, Bishop of Würzburg.

[2] Archaeological examination shows that the nave of this church measured 65 meters (213 ft) and revealed a crypt under the east choir, where Count Burkhardt's tomb is located.

[5] The church was decorated by sculptor Balthasar Esterbauer [de], who created its chapels, pulpit, choir stalls, and organ case.

Embossed into the copper are images of the Twelve Apostles, six on either side of Jesus Christ, seated in a mandorla and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists.

[11] The second is a wheel chandelier, 5 meters (16 ft) in diameter, and made up by twelve gilded copper plates mounted unto two iron rings.

The inner gate's arch, towers, and porch are Romanesque, while the rest of the chapel displays gothic and baroque alterations to the original structure.

Georg Widman, a chronicler from Hall, asserts that the convent was founded in 1108 by Count Heinrich of Rothenburg-Comburg, the brother of Burkhardt II, as a counterpart to the men's monastery of Grosscomburg.