Edelstetten Abbey

Edelstetten Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Neuburg an der Kammel in Bavaria that shapes the village with its Baroque architecture. The complex includes a church dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, residential buildings, and the Chinese Hall with ornate stucco decorations.

The monastery was founded in 1001 and experienced three major destructions: in the 14th century, during the 1525 Peasants' Revolt, and in the 1632 Thirty Years' War. After each devastation, it was rebuilt and eventually became an important religious and cultural center in the region.

The Chinese Hall displays lavish stucco decorations from the 18th century that showcase the skill of artisans from that period. The church interior reflects the same attention to craftsmanship and served as a gathering place where people could worship and share their faith together.

The monastery serves as the parish church of Edelstetten and can be visited at various times, especially during church services. It sits in a quiet location at the village edge and allows visitors to explore its interior with its artworks and architectural details.

The monastery was unusual for its time by allowing choir members to leave and marry rather than remain bound to monastic life. It also served as a school for noblewomen from the Swabian region, reflecting an openness to female education that was rare for the era.