Schöntal monastery lies in the idyllic Jagst Valley in the Hohenlohe region. As a Cistercian abbey founded by Maulbronn monks in 1157, the monastery developed over the centuries into a mighty, flourishing monastery complex with a monastery mill, a bakery, a brewery, a livestock building and a crop barn. The monastery complex primarily owes its impressive Baroque appearance to Abbot Benedikt Knittel (1650–1732). It was under him that the Baroque church was built according to plans by Leonhard Dientzenhofer. And it is here that Götz of Berlichingen is buried. In addition, the palace-like convent building with its Rococo staircase was built during his term in office.
Following Secularization and the closing of the monastery, a Protestant theological seminary was housed in the complex for 165 years beginning in 1810.
Today the buildings are used as an educational center and as a forest school retreat by the Catholic diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart.
The abbey and the monastery church can be visited on guided tours. A permanent exhibition in the Information Center provides information on the eventful history of the Cistercian monastery.
You can get a brief summary on our flyer >>> Schöntal Monastery
