Bernhard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Bernhard of Clairvaux, the "spiritual father" of the Cistercian Order, was born 900 years ago and was already canonized 21 years after his death. He quickly brought the Cistercian Order, with its pronounced asceticism and poverty, to the height of its development and had a great influence on his age by reviving the spirit of the Church among the nobility, the clergy and the common people. It is said that the nobleman Guntram of Adelsreute had been inspired by the gifted preacher Bernhard of Clairvaux (probably in 1133) to donate the place called Salmannsweiler.
Through Bernhard of Clairvaux a new artistic style also prevailed in the churches. He countered the richly and sumptuously appointed monastery churches with a new, provocatively unadorned artistic style which completely reflected the Order's ideal of poverty.
Prince Max of Baden (1867-1929)
Prince Max of Baden was the designated successor to the Grand Duke of Baden and went down in history as the last Chancellor of the German Empire. After the end of the monarchy, Prince Max retired to his private residence at Salem Palace. Here he founded the renowned boarding school of Salem Palace together with his friend and secretary, the reform educator Kurt Hahn. It is still one of the best schools in the country today and has served as a model for the founding of many other schools both in Germany and abroad. Prince Max of Baden died in Salem at the age of 62.
Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer (1696-1770)
Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer is considered one of the most important artists of the Rococo period. For his drafts he processed ideas from the most important artists in Europe from papal Rome, like Michelangelo and Bernini, and from imperial Vienna. His work is characterized by an exceptionally graceful dynamism. His best known work today is the "Honigschlecker" (honey licker) in the pilgrimage church (Wallfahrtskirche) in Birnau. It is a putto that symbolizes the eloquence of St. Bernhard of Clairvaux, who for this reason had been given the title "doctor mellifluous" (teacher of speech as sweet as honey). However, the "Honigschlecker" that can be admired in the Salem abbey church is the work of Feuchtmayer's student Johann Georg Dirr.
Abbott Anselm II Schwab (1713-1778)
Abbot Anselm II was not only one of the most important abbots at the Cistercian monastery of Salem, he was also one of its most dazzling personalities. The young Anselm Schwab was elected to 38th abbot of the monastery as the successor to Abbot Stefan II, who died at an early age. The most spectacular task of his early years in office was the building of Neu-Birnau. The radiant work of art of the Rococo period has gained him a place in the art history of southern Germany. During several stays in Paris he became familiar with French early Classicism and as a result ordered a large-scale redecoration of the abbey church in the Classicistic style.
During his term in office, Anselm was considered a great supporter of the sciences and art at Salem Monastery.