Bebenhausen Abbey 🇩🇪

Step into history at Bebenhausen Abbey (Kloster Bebenhausen), a preserved Cistercian monastery complex located in Bebenhausen, Germany, along the Goldersbach river in the Schönbuch nature park. Originally established in the late 12th century, this historic monument grew into one of southern Germany's richest monasteries before undergoing transformations into a boarding school, Protestant seminary, and royal hunting retreat for the Kings of Württemberg. Today, you can explore a unique destination where medieval monastic life meets royal heritage.

Walk through the surviving complex defended by a 13th-century wall, two towers, an inner bailey, and a 15th-century gatehouse called the Writing Tower. Inside the church, consecrated in 1228, you will see a cruciform basilica featuring star and net vaults, early Gothic elements, and Renaissance and Baroque paintings, epitaphs, and tombs. Architectural highlights include the high Gothic Summer Refectory, the vaulted cloister, the chapter house, and the parlatorium.

You can also discover the south-eastern area that was transformed into Bebenhausen Palace, where Württemberg's last king and queen permanently resided after World War I. The site even hosted the post-World War II parliament that drafted the constitution for Württemberg-Hohenzollern in the winter refectory.

What to see at Bebenhausen Abbey

• Monastery complex with a 13th-century wall and 15th-century Writing Tower
• Cruciform basilica church featuring star and net vaults, tombs, and historic paintings
• Gothic Summer Refectory, vaulted cloister, and early Gothic chapter house
• Former royal hunting retreat transformed into Bebenhausen Palace for Württemberg's monarchs

Visiting tips

Look closely at the architecture to spot stone ridge turrets added over the church crossing and summer refectory by local 15th-century abbots.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Bebenhausen Abbey is easy to reach on Tübingen’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tübingen travel guide.