"Eberbach Monastery - step back in time" Eichberg by Trekki

Eichberg Travel Guide: 16 reviews and 119 photos

Eberbach Monastery - courtyard - Kiedrich

... and walk in the footsteps of Sean Connery :-))

Cistercian Abbey Kloster Eberbach is nestled between vineyards and forests in the northern Rheingau, just a few kilometers off wine village Eltville. In a way, it still symbolizes the isolation the Cistercians had chosen to live their way of life.

Eberbach Monastery - cloister and fountain

Abbot Bernhard de Clairvaux (1090-1153) has founded the abbey in 1136, after he was sent out from France to establish Cistercian monasteries within Europe. During its early days, only 12 monks lived here, but over the time, it became the biggest and most important abbey in Germany.
The French monks introduced winegrowing in Eberbach, and soon wine was their major source of income. As this lead to increasing vineyards, the monks soon had to "employ" lay brethrens; the abbey was expanded to shelter them as well.
During Thirty Years' War (around 1631), lots of damage was done in the abbey, books and utensils stolen and carried off. However, after 1635, the monks returned and continued their work and life in Eberbach.
The final decline of Eberbach Abbey and the monks commenced in early 19th century, when the results of French Revolution forced the German Emperors to secure their incomes – Eberbach Abbey was conveyed to the Duke of Nassau in 1803, thus state-controlled.
Over the course of time, it hosted jail, mental hospital, military storage, sanatorium and youth hostel.

Eberbach Monastery - dormitory

Since 1986, when the shootings for The Name of the Rose have been done here, its popularity increased, and money was spent for restoration.
But the final upswings came in 1998, when the whole abbey and its assets were transformed into a foundation. This lead to careful and improved restoration, so by now Eberbach Abbey is a magnet not only for religious visitors, but also for wine connoisseurs and friends of concerts.

Just now I learned from Jean-Louis (JLBG) that there is a sanctuary in Piemonte which Umberto Eco had in mind when he wrote The Name of the Rose. Make sure to read his description of Sacra di San Michele as well - it looks indeed like the monastery :-))

Let me show you this fascinating abbey in my writings. As Eberbach Abbey has been restored according to Cistercian architecture, I will also explain more about Cistercian daily life and the meanings of buildings.
I would like to thank my guide of Eberbach Abbey, who told us a lot of side information during our tour.

All pictures have been taken by myself, if not marked otherwise.
Please do not use any of them without my permission.
The same applies for my writings here.
Thanks.

Last visit to Eichberg: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Dec 27, 2011
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Reviews (25)

Quiet - and close to the Monastery :- - Kiedrich

Quiet - and close to the Monastery :- Hotels (1)

(please be patient, description will follow soon) more travel advice

Coat of Arms above the entrance door - Kiedrich

Eberbach Abbey – visit the Cistercian... Favorites (6)

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Cistercians’ architecture and life combined - Kiedrich

Cistercians’ architecture and life... Favorites (6)

Please be patient, text will follow soon :-) more travel advice

Life of Cistercians Favorites (6)

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Things to Do (17)
See All Eberbach Abbey – the famous vineyards

Transportation (1)
How to get to Eberbach Abbey

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (31)

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brendareed Oct 18, 2012 at 3:44 AM

Great pages, Ingrid! It looks like we may be visiting here over the weekend on our way to another event - so you've helped me with my research AND I've ordered the movie from Netflix, although I am sure I will not get it until after our visit to Eberbach Monastery. I was disappointed to read that Sean Connery is not part of the tour...sigh... ;-) ~Brenda
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  brendareed Oct 18, 2012 at 11:52 PM
  
  Well that is a bit creepy! Ha! Thanks for thinking of us though. Our Sunday is booked and we are headed up to a BBQ on Saturday nearby so we thought we'd go early and check out the monastery. Very excited to see it! Liked your reference to Maulbronn; we visited that monastery in September.
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  Trekki Oct 19, 2012 at 6:29 AM
  
  :-) Actually my plan was for the Sunday. So in case you are still free for Sunday the idea is: drop Tom nearby Bad Kreuznach and girls go visit Bad Kreuznach, a rock hermitage nearby and maybe Rheinstein Castle and then pick up Tom on the way back :-)
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balhannah Feb 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM

You have found some wonderful Abbeys's on your travels, and this is another one! You brought back some memories about potato bags being used as sheets! Good idea to watch the movie first and then to visit, it would have been interesting seeing where it was filmed.
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HORSCHECK Jun 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM

Fabulous page about a place I have never really heard of before. That's maybe because I have never seen "The Name of the Rose" . Interesting that some scenes have been filmed in Kiedrich.
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BruceDunning Aug 10, 2010 at 1:07 PM

The abbey and its inside look very appealing. NIce pictures and comments to enhance the tour.
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iandsmith Jul 9, 2010 at 8:13 AM

I know nothing about any film but loved your tips anyway. Genuine five star stuff, back for another visit. Cheers.
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Maryimelda Mar 23, 2010 at 4:34 AM

Looking forward to the rest of your tips Ingrid. Another fasciating page from you. Thank you. Kate
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deecat Feb 7, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Let me know when you complete these pages. What I read today is just wonderful and filled with detail, which I like.
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Yaqui Jul 17, 2009 at 10:59 AM

What a lovely place. This history is wonderful and it must be so tranquil to roam the building. Lovely photographs, cannot wait to see the rest. Nice page!
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richiecdisc May 4, 2009 at 2:26 PM

We'll need the hotel details but no rush as guess we'll not see it this summer. ;) Kind of missing those dumplings here too. :)
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toonsarah May 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM

Can't believe I never visited this excellent page about the source of my delicious wine jelly! Wonderful descriptions, and packed with info. BTW "Kapital" = "chapter" in English, in this context, so "Chapterhouse"