The monastery garden of Seligenstadt

The monastery garden of Seligenstadt

The monastery garden in Seligenstadt is not only a simple monastery garden but, also a herb garden with various herbs and a vegetable garden with traditional mixed cultivation. It also has a pharmacy, a monastery mill, a museum and a café.

Einhard founded the monastery in Seligenstadt in 828. Seligenstadt monastery became an economic and political center and acquired extensive property.  The property and assets of the monastery were controlled by the archbishop, who had to approve the election of the abbot. Centuries of disputes between the monastery and the neighboring town of Seligenstadt characterized the monastery. As they had different economic interests, the monastery's servitude, dues, court rights did not contradict the civic town freedom, and as there were disputes about ownership of land and rights. Thus, the monastery and the town were in permanent conflict. In 1525 the abbey was attacked and plundered by the townspeople, who allied themselves with the peasants. Only from the end of the 17th century the monastery experienced a new prosperity.

The monastery provided medical, social and cultural services to the surrounding area until 1803.

For almost 1000 years monks lived in the monastery according to the Benedictine rules. Today, the abbey with its venerable buildings and magnificent garden once again presents itself as a baroque ensemble and provides an impressive insight into monastic life in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, when you sit in the café, you have a beautiful view of the monastery garden.  The café offers a varied breakfast, a wide selection of cakes and pies prepared in the local pastry shop.

Lisa-Marie

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