Tholey Abbey, Benedictine abbey in Tholey, Germany.
Tholey Abbey is a Benedictine monastery featuring a church from the 13th century with three naves and a rectangular choir. The grounds contain stone foundations from the Frankish period, showing how the site developed from early medieval beginnings through later reconstructions.
The first written record dates to 634, when a Frankish nobleman named Adalgisel Grimo transferred his property in Tholey to the Diocese of Verdun. This donation established the foundation for the monastery, which grew into a significant religious center over the following centuries.
The monastery follows Saint Benedict's rule, and visitors can experience the daily rhythm of prayers and communal meals with the monks. The community members work in the gardens and workshops, showing how spirituality and practical labor blend into daily life here.
The monastery welcomes visitors and offers guided tours of the church and overnight stays in the guesthouse. If you are interested in meditation, you can also join sessions led by the monks.
The bell tower houses seven bronze bells, including two medieval ones cast in 1458 and 1459 by the bell founder Wilhelm Czun. These bells rank among the oldest surviving examples of their kind and show the craftsmanship of that era.
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