Marienau Charterhouse, Carthusian monastery in Bad Wurzach, Germany.
Marienau is a Carthusian monastery in Bad Wurzach that consists of a large complex with two cloisters, monk cells, workshops, a farmhouse, and a guesthouse surrounded by a perimeter wall. The buildings combine simple brick construction with wooden beam ceilings and red-tiled roofs beneath yellow exterior walls.
The monastery was founded in 1964 and replaced Maria Hain Charterhouse in Düsseldorf, which had to relocate due to airport expansion. This relocation led to the establishment of a new Carthusian center at this location in Baden-Württemberg.
The monks live in strict silence following Carthusian tradition, with individual cells for solitary life and regular communal prayers. Daily life follows a rhythmic pattern between solitude and community that defines this monastic way.
The location sits in a quiet rural area and is easily accessible by car, with parking on site. The grounds can be viewed from outside, but visits inside are limited since the monks maintain a secluded life and receive visitors only at specific times.
Unlike typical Carthusian monasteries with 12 monks, Marienau houses 24 monks, making it one of the rare double charterhouses. This unusual size makes it the only remaining Carthusian monastery in Germany.
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