Buxheim Charterhouse

Buxheim Charterhouse is a Gothic monastery near Memmingen with extensive cloisters, a monastic church, and several chapels adorned with architectural details throughout the complex. The layout reflects the typical design of a Carthusian monastery, featuring individual cells for monks alongside shared prayer spaces.

The monastery was founded in the 14th century and received the status of an Imperial Charterhouse from Emperor Charles V in 1548, freeing it from territorial authority. This imperial designation secured its religious and economic independence for the following centuries.

The monastery library held around 700 manuscripts and early printed books during the Middle Ages, making it a center of learning for the Carthusian monks. This collection shaped the spiritual and intellectual life of the religious community that lived within these walls.

The site is open to visitors daily, with guided tours available in German explaining the architecture and monastic traditions. Plan for uneven floors and historic stairs throughout, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

The high altar carvings were created between 1687 and 1691 by sculptor Ignaz Waibl and spent time away from Germany before returning in 1980. This masterwork of wood carving was reinstalled in the chapel where it belonged originally.