Kloster Schwarzenbroich

Kloster Schwarzenbroich is a monastery ruin in Langerwehe situated between Gürzenich and Schevenhütte in North Rhine-Westphalia. The walls stand up to about 6 meters high and rise from a wooded setting.

The Order of the Holy Cross founded the monastery in 1340 after Werner von Merode received permission from Archbishop Walram of Cologne. The site remained under this religious community's stewardship for centuries.

The site lies directly on the Jakobsweg pilgrimage route running from Düren to Kornelimünster, marked by scallop shells. Pilgrims and visitors recognize the historical path through these shell symbols scattered across the grounds.

The site remains open to visitors, with an active support association managing ongoing maintenance and stabilization work. Wear appropriate footwear, as the wooded terrain includes uneven paths and potentially muddy areas.

The community became particularly wealthy in the 15th century through members from affluent Rhineland families who contributed substantial land grants. These connections to local noble families shaped the monastery's possessions and standing.