Tennenbach abbey, Cistercian abbey ruins in Emmendingen, Germany
Tennenbach is a Benedictine abbey in Emmendingen, of which only ruins remain today, with a 13th-century chapel standing as the main preserved structure. The stone remains are scattered across the valley, telling of the complex's former size, while information boards explain how the buildings were originally arranged.
The abbey was founded in 1158 by monks from the north and flourished initially under the name Porta Coeli. It later came under the authority of Salem Abbey, shaping religious life in the region for centuries to come.
The name Tennenbach refers to the valley where the monastery once thrived, shaped by the monks who chose this location for their religious life. The site still reflects how deeply these communities were connected to their natural surroundings.
The site is reachable via marked walking paths that wind through Emmendingen's valley and are clearly signposted throughout. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven, and the paths can become slippery after rain.
Stone from the former abbey church was repurposed to build Saint Louis parish church in Freiburg, which itself experienced destruction in later conflicts. This unexpected connection shows how the old structure lived on in a new form for centuries after.
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