Irene's Ring
One of the most beloved figures of Lorch Monastery is Princess Irene von Byzanz (around 1181-1208). The poet Walther von der Vogelweide set a literary monument to her and referred to her as a "rose without thorns". Irene is still remembered today, however there is little evidence from her life. When a finely worked enamel ring in a gold setting was found in the early 19th at the site of the former vestry of the Lorch Monastery Church, it was assigned unseen and without proof to the possessions of the princess. As early as the 19th century a goldsmith in Lorch began to produce copies of the ring and, although the original ring has long since been lost, it is still possible to purchase the "Ring of Irene" today.
The true relic of the cross
As in many places around the world, there is also said to have been a piece of the Holy Cross at Lorch Monastery. The piece of wood was kept as a relic in a gilded silver cross mounted in a panel also adorned with gold and silver. To check the authenticity of this relic, the Lorch monk Nikolaus Vener von Gmünd cut off a piece of wood and laid it in a fire. As the piece of wood remained unburned, the particle of the Cross was now considered to be authentic. This story was told in 1484 by the Lorch "Konventuale" (voting member of a convent) Wilhelm von Schächingen.
Little Fritz in Lorch
The later poet Friedrich Schiller lived in Lorch from the age of 4 to 7. From the recollections of his sister Christophine future generations have learned much about the dismal school years and the joyful games of the Schiller children on the monastery mountain. A report on the tendency of the young Schiller to "play pastor" are particularly striking,"Mother and sister had to tie a black apron around the boy and fit him with a cap, whereby he looked very serious. Anyone present had to listen and if anyone laughed, he became indignant and was not seen again so soon."
The poet's retreat
"...but it is true, I live here, after deducting eat and drink, almost from the enjoyment of the region alone, in particular the air, and have hardly touched a quill. Here we have perfectly what we need, what Gretchen needed almost more than I: the long yearned for absolute peace and quite"... Eduard Mörike penned these lines during his first days in Lorch, where he stayed from 1867 to 1869. Here he sought - and found - above all rural seclusion.
The Staufer Lime
Zu Lorch im alten Kloster ragt hoch ein Lindenbaum.
Es flog durch seine Krone manch hoher Kaisertraum:
Die Wipfel flüstern heimlich von alter Heldenzeit,
Die Blätter glänzen milde in frischer Herrlichkeit.
Einst sah der zarte Schößling der Staufen junge Pracht:
Die zogen vom Schwabenschlosse hinaus in froher Macht;
Und rasch von Land zu Lande bis an das blaue Meer
Schwang sich der deutsche Adler im Fluge stark und hehr.
Doch bald sank hin im Kloster der Staufer stolzer Arm;
Hier trugen sie zur Ruhe die Helden bittrem Harm.
Hier durfte einst Irene der Erdennot entfliehn:
Ach, ringsum stille Grüfte! Die Herrlichkeit dahin! (...)
Heinrich Lauxmann