Kloster Merxhausen, Medieval monastery in Bad Emstal, Germany.
Kloster Merxhausen is a religious community in Bad Emstal with a three-wing complex centered around a Gothic church. The ensemble still forms a substantial part of the historical architecture and shows the building style typical of medieval monasteries.
The site was founded in 1213 by the Lords of Blumenstein as an Augustinian monastery and initially functioned as a double monastery. In 1533, Landgrave Philipp of Hesse transformed it into a hospital, which later became a state institution for mental health care.
The monastery museum displays religious objects, manuscripts, and personal items from monastic life, showing how people here prayed and studied across centuries. You see objects from different periods that reflect the everyday interactions and spiritual practices of those who lived here.
Visitors should know that the museum is only open at certain times, so it is best to call ahead to ensure it is accessible. Group tours can be arranged if you book in advance.
The site underwent a major transformation after the Reformation and served for over two centuries as a treatment facility for mental health conditions. This institutional function is still visible in how the original architecture was adapted for this purpose.
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