Zwiefalten Abbey

Zwiefalten Abbey is a Baroque monastery in Baden-Württemberg with a grand church at its heart. The walls and ceilings showcase intricate hand-painted frescoes that fill the spacious interior with color and detail.

The monastery was founded in 1089 and gradually became an important religious center in the region. Over time it gained independence, eventually becoming a free abbey in the 18th century.

The monastery served as a learning center where monks copied and collected books for centuries. The rooms where this scholarly work took place still shape how the place looks and feels today.

The building sits in a rural area south of Reutlingen and is easy to spot from the surroundings. Keep in mind that parts of the complex still serve as a hospital today, while the church remains open to visitors.

In its early years the monastery operated as a double-abbey where monks and nuns lived together, which was quite unusual. This arrangement made the place an example of a rare form of monastic life during that period.

Location: Zwiefalten

Inception: 1089

Founders: Achalm

Architects: Johann Michael Fischer

Architectural style: Baroque

Website: http://lad-bw.de/kloester-bw/kloster1.php?nr=534

GPS coordinates: 48.23200,9.46135

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:45