Weltenburg Abbey, Benedictine monastery and brewery in Kelheim, Germany
Weltenburg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and brewery on a peninsula along the Danube River near Kelheim, with white walls and two tall bell towers. The complex includes the abbey church, residential buildings for monks, workspaces, and a brewery that together form a functioning monastic community.
The monastery was founded around 600 by Scottish and Irish monks and marks the beginning of monastic tradition in Bavaria. The brewery developed around 1050 and ranks among the oldest continuously operating monastic breweries in Europe.
The baroque interior of the abbey church was created by the Asam brothers and fills the space with marble columns, painted ceilings, and gilded statues. This artistic wealth shows how faith has been expressed through beauty here over the centuries.
The best way to arrive is by boat from Kelheim, though parking is also available for cars. Guided tours are offered seasonally, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the route to the monastery includes stairs and uneven ground.
The brewery produces dark beer using ancient recipes and ranks among the longest continuously operating breweries of its kind worldwide. Visitors can taste the beer on site and watch how the craft is still practiced in the historic spaces.
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