Bebenhausen Monastery and Palace

An extraordinary ensemble in an idyllic setting

History worth reading aboutFiles

Interested in learning more about what took place in this impressive monument? Looking for unusual stories about life in centuries past? Wondering how the monument is managed today? Explore historic snapshots, unusual events and interesting research findings.

Saint Bernhard von Clairvaux, keystone in the cloister of Maulbronn Monastery

Austerity and hard work

Founded as a countermodel to the Benedictines, the Cistercians became one of the leading orders of the Catholic church.

The Cistercians

Bebenhausen Monastery in the landscape of Schönbuch

Successful cultivation and lively trade

Farming was enormously important in Bebenhausen and contributed to making the abbey among the wealthiest in the land.

Farming with monks

The herb garden at Bebenhausen Monastery

The right herb

In the Middle Ages, herbs were used when cooking and in the healing arts. A classic example of an herb garden can be seen in Bebenhausen Monastery.

Culinary and medicinal herbs in the monastery

Wild boar hunt at Bebenhausen, washed pen and ink drawing, 1576

A privilege of the nobility

Wild game has always been a popular food. However, hunting was also a pastime for the nobility and also offered representational opportunities.

Hunts in Bebenhausen

Detail of a menu from Bebenhausen Palace, Weiblen, 1895

Saddles of venison and pancakes

An ample table was set at the great royal hunts. Handwritten menus told guests about the courses to come.

Menus for the royal table

Image: pixabay_in the public domain

The spoken word

An important element of the Reformation was the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. This also had an effect on schools.

Mural in the winter refectory of Bebenhausen Monastery

Postwar history up close

After World War II, the state parliament of Württemberg-Hohenzollern met in Bebenhausen Monastery until its dissolution in 1952.

The state parliament of Württemberg-Hohenzollern