Heisterbach Abbey

Heisterbach Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Königswinter whose Gothic choir section remains as a ruin. The tall stone arches frame an open space surrounded by manicured lawns and old trees.

Monks from Himmerod founded the monastery in 1189 after relocating from an earlier site. The church was consecrated in 1237 and largely demolished during secularization after 1803 leaving only the choir standing.

The name derives from Old High German "hagan sterbuki" referring to the wooded hillside location of the monastery grounds. Today visitors experience the ruin as a setting for outdoor concerts and open-air theater performances.

The grounds are freely accessible and suitable for a quiet walk through the park and ruin. A mobile audio guide provides background information on site when you bring your own device.

The original church measured 88 meters (289 feet) in length making it longer than many cathedrals of its era and among the largest Cistercian churches in German-speaking regions. The preserved choir section shows traces of construction techniques that later became models for other monastery churches.