Kloster Heiligkreuztal, Cistercian monastery in Altheim, Germany.
Kloster Heiligkreuztal is a Cistercian monastery in Altheim, spread across multiple buildings connected by corridors and cloisters. The structures display carved stonework and architectural elements spanning from the medieval period to more recent times.
Founded in the medieval period, the monastery grew into a center for learning and book production under Cistercian direction. Its buildings reflect multiple construction phases that shaped its appearance over the centuries.
The name references the Holy Cross, a symbol woven throughout the building's design and decoration. Religious artworks on display reveal how artistic traditions evolved over time within these walls.
The grounds are generally accessible during daylight hours, though guided tours provide better access to interior spaces. Planning a visit in advance helps since some areas open only with official tours.
The monastery preserves an important collection of medieval manuscripts that reveal the scholarship and knowledge of earlier times. A garden on the grounds cultivates medicinal herbs using traditional monastic methods, showing how monks and nuns once prepared remedies.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
