In the 17th century, many of the convent's aristocratic ladies moved away and the city of Gerresheim became increasingly impoverished. Soldiers raided Gerresheim during the Cologne War and later during the Thirty Years' War. The city's reputation suffered in consequence. The Reichsdeputationshauptschluss abolished the abbey in 1803 and the Kingdom of Prussia took over Gerresheim in 1815.