Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049.

The crypt of "Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" is the oldest part of the whole structure. The eastern part of the crypt dates back to 1080/1100, the western, where this pillar and the vaults are to be seen, was constructed around 1160.