Bronnbach Monastery: A Fascinating Journey Through History

Bronnbach Monastery is a place that will captivate you with its history and beauty. It was founded in 1138 by a group of Cistercian monks who wanted to live a simple and devout life in harmony with nature. They chose a secluded valley in the Tauber region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where they could pray and work without being disturbed by anyone.

The monastery has witnessed many changes and challenges over the centuries. It had to adapt to the different historical and social circumstances of its time. It faced its biggest crisis in 1803, when it was dissolved as a result of the mediatisation and secularisation of Germany after the end of the Holy Roman Empire. This was a period of great turmoil and upheaval in the country, when many territories were reorganized and redistributed.

The monastery and its lands were taken over by the Princely House of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. Some of the monks decided to join other surviving monasteries, while some preferred to stay in Bronnbach and live as laymen until they died. The last monk who lived in Bronnbach died in 1832.

The monastery was used for various purposes over the years. It became a brewery for a brief time, as well as a centre for administration. Some construction work was done on the building, but most of it was preserved as it was. Bronnbach also welcomed a royal resident in 1855, when King Dom Miguel I of Portugal, who had been forced to leave his homeland after a civil war, settled here with his family.

Several different religious orders resided in the monastery between 1922 and the 1980s until it was finally acquired by the Main-Tauber district in 1986. The monastery underwent several phases of renovation and restoration and was used for various purposes.

In 1989, the monastery was recognized as a national monument of outstanding importance. It is still a place of religious worship and also a venue for various cultural and social events. It hosts weddings, concerts, seminars, wine tasting, guided tours and more.

The photo shows the impressive choir stalls that are located in the church of the monastery. They were designed after those in Mainz Cathedral and were carved by one of Bronnbach’s own monks. They are considered to be one of the finest examples of wood carving in Germany

For more information on Bronnbach Monastery (in German) see: https://www.kloster-bronnbach.de/Startseite.html English

For more information in english see: https://www.castleholic.com/2018/01/kloster-bronnbach.html