Kloster Eberbach is a former Cistercian monastery that was founded in the twelve century. For about six centuries monks lived here ascetically in a serenely beautiful valley, in magnificent buildings but without heating. Then in 1803 forced secularization handed the property to the Principality of Nassau and currently it belongs to the Federal State of Hessen, which uses the buildings mainly for a museum and a wine institute. With 200 ha of vineyards Eberbach is the largest single vineyard in Germany.

In medieval times the monastery operated like a small town and was thus also surrounded by a wall. This 5 meter high, 1100 long wall is still surrounding the complex. Not surprisingly the Romanesque church is the largest building. Inside it is practically bare and without any artwork, which emphasizes the stark lines and sharp corners of the Romanesque style. This basilica is one of the most renowned Romanesque structures in Germany. Several gothic chapels were added at a later stage.

The monks’ dormitory is a 73 m long early Gothic room where up to 300 monks slept. The lay brother’s cloister is ten meters longer than the monks’ dormitory and the largest secular medieval room in Germany. During the early middle ages the monks had to work close to the church in order to attend regular choirs and services so lay brothers were hired to work the fields further away.

The original founders of the monastery came from Burgundy and their knowledge of viticulture helped to develop the indigenous wine industry. Eberbach produced good wine and one stage during the middle ages owned a fleet of ships sailing the Rhine. During the eighteenth century special vintages were produced in the Cabinet Cellar which led to the name Kabinettwein - a term since used to indicate the quality of wine in Germany. Several enormous wooden wine presses dating from 1668 onwards are exhibited in the lay brothers’ refectory.

The monastery suffered severely during thirty years war when it was raided by the Swedes and most art works and the extensive library were lost. Earlier during a peasants’ revolt the 71 000 liter wine cask was emptied - and promptly collapsed - to accompany the roast of the slaughtered farm animals. By the time Napoleon forced its secularization the monastery was a shadow of its former self with only a few monks left.

Entry is charged for the buildings and museum but free for the grounds. A popular wine shop sells local produce and a restaurant serves hearty local dishes.

Kloster Eberbach is a few minutes drive from the main road between Wiesbaden and Rüdesheim - it is well signposted. It is also possible to reach the cloister by public bus. Many hiking trails pass by the cloister and a full parking lot doesn’t necessarily translate into a crowded monastery - many if not most will be rambling through the woods.

Open daily: 10am to 6pm (4pm in winter).