Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys And Monasteries

You don’t need to be religious to be fascinated by the abbeys and monasteries of Germany. They are architectural wonders basking in culture, and witnesses of the country’s glorious past. Many of them are still inhabited by monks and some preserve original furniture, artwork, and priceless artifacts. Here is our top pick of the German abbeys and monasteries that you should add to your bucket list without delay.

1. Ettal Abbey

Hotel

The sprawling structure of Ettal Abbey resembles a castle more than an abbey, and visitors flock to the 14th-century building to see its jaw-dropping baroque interior. Around 50 monks call this monastery home, and run an independent economic unit with things they produce or manage, including a brewery, liqueur shop, hotel, and publishing house.

Benediktinerabtei Ettal, Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz 1, 82488 Ettal, Germany, +49 (0)8822 740

Ettal Abbey | © stux / Pixabay

2. Corvey Abbey

Corvey Abbey is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a pilgrimage center, one of the most significant monasteries of medieval Germany, a historical gem, a seat of power, a source of strong religious influence, and a cultural and economic hub. The stunning baroque monastery with its soaring towers, massive hallways, intricate murals, and a library containing 75,000 rare medieval publications never fails to fascinate visitors.

Schloss Corvey 37671 Höxter, Germany, +49 (0) 5271 69 40 10

Corvey Abbey | © strecosa / Pixabay

3. Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau

Church

The Monastic Island of Reichenau on Lake Constance is an ensemble of three medieval churches (St. Mary and Marcus, St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. George). The ensemble, which exhibits a seamless blend of Carolingian, Ottonian, and Salian architectural styles, and boasts superb wall paintings and illuminations, is a superb example of the artistic genius of medieval times.

78479 Reichenau, Germany

Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau | © 2111695 / Pixabay

5. Maulbronn Monastery Complex

Building, Monastery

The 850-year-old Maulbronn Monastery Complex is among the best-preserved monasteries in Europe, and is a rare harmony of multiple architectural styles, including late gothic and romanesque. The highlights of this beautiful UNESCO site are the grand entrance hall and the Fountain House, a building with a three-level fountain that was used by the monks for rituals.

Klosterhof 5, 75433 Maulbronn, Germany, +49 7043 926610

Maulbronn Monastery Complex | © PixelDino / Pixabay

6. The Monastery of St. Augustine

Monastery

The sprawling 13th-century Monastery of St. Augustine in Erfurt is famous for being home to Martin Luther in the early 16th century. The monastery is open for public tours, which include visits to Martin Luther’s room, a chapel, murals, and various exhibits.

7. Weltenburg Abbey

Monastery

Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest abbey in Bavaria (built in 600) enjoys an unparalleled location on an edge of the Danube peninsula, close to the imposing Arzberg mountain range. Visitors flock to this ancient abbey to see the stunning frescoes, paintings, organs, and most importantly, the Library of the Evangelical Ministry with its 60,000 volumes.

Asamstraße 32, 93309 Kelheim, Germany, +49 09441 2040

Weltenburg Abbey | © tassilo111 / Pixabay

8. Frauenchiemsee Monastery

Church, Monastery

The active Benedictine Frauenchiemsee Monastery perches on the picturesque island of Frauenchiemsee in Lake Chiemsee. This structure, which was built in 782 AD, is an extremely popular tourist destination. Though tours of the monastery are not offered, travelers are welcome to visit the church.

Frauenchiemsee 50, 83256 Chiemsee, Germany, +49 8054 9070

Frauenchiemsee Monastery | © Bbb / WikiCommons

9. Monastery of St. Mang

Monastery

The existence of the benedictine monastery of St. Mang can be traced back to the beginning of the 9th century. The rooms that once housed monks are now home to ancient artworks and archeological artifacts. The outstandingly decorated baroque halls of the monastery attract visitors from all over the world.

10. Eberbach Abbey

The early 12th-century Eberbach Abbey by the Rhine River is a splendid building exhibiting romanesque and early gothic styles of architecture. It is the venue of many delightful music concerts and also invites visitors to join a wine tasting tour.

65346 Eltville, Germany, +49 6723 9178100

Eberbach Abbey | © Tascalo / Pixabay

11. Maria Laach Abbey

Building, Church, Monastery

The gorgeous German romanesque building of Maria Laach Abbey is lapped by the crater lake of Laacher See. The abbey is known for its high towers, massive westwork, ornate carvings, ancient mosaics, and stained-glass windows.

Maria Laach, 56653 Glees, Germany, +49 2652 590

Maria Laach Abbey | © Didgeman / Pixabay

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