Long Description:Bebenhausen monastery was probably founded around 1183/84 by
Palgrave Rudolph von Tübingen. It is first mentioned in a document
from Duke Friedrich von Schwaben from 1187, which granted the
monastery rights to use in Schönbuch. At first Rudolph von Tübingen
selected the Premonstratensian Order to move into the monastery at
Bebenhausen, as its rules would have allowed a secular family tomb
of the palgraves. However, the monks left Bebenhausen again before
1191 without a specific reason. In 1190 the Cistercians took over
the monastery.
The building of the monastery complex in the late 12th and early
13th century with the church, cloister and connecting buildings
observed the standards of Cistercian architecture, which prescribed
self-limitation, reservation, denial and asceticism. Bebenhausen
developed into a thriving monastery which was among the richest in
Württemberg.
The monastery church was the first building to be started. It
was originally an unadorned, flat-roofed pier basilica with four
secondary chapels attached to the transept and a straight, closed
chancel. It was consecrated to Maria, the patron saint of the
Order, in 1228. In the 14th century Abbot Konrad von Lustnau had
changes made in the High Gothic style, e.g. the chancel
windows.
The stone crossing tower, the symbol of the church, was
constructed between 1407 and 1409. Following the introduction of
the Reformation, the church was too large, and Duke Ulrich had it
torn down up to the transept and chancel in 1537. Between 1566 and
1568 it was partially rebuilt.
Enclosure: The eastern wing of the enclosure was built up until
the middle of the 13th century. It was in its rooms that the monks
lived their secluded life. An inner monastery wall, erected 1281 -
1303, surrounded the more immediate monastery area with the
enclosure, important outbuildings and the cemetery.
Around 1225/28 the second most important room of the monastery,
the "Kapitelsaal" (Chapter Hall) was completed. This is where the
convent gathered. In contrast to monastery rules, laymen, and not
just abbots, were also buried here. Slabs including those of the
monastery founder Rudolph von Tübingen and his wife Mechthild can
still be seen today in the Kapitelsaal. Other rooms, such as the
winter refectory (1510), the dormitory with 29 individual cells,
the parlatory (room in which speaking was allowed), the
"Bruderhalle" (Hall of Brothers), and the "Kalefaktorium"
(continuously heated room), complete the enclosure area.
Around 1335 Abbot Konrad von Lustnau had the summer refectory of
the monks erected as an outstanding example of architecture in
southwestern Germany, and thus also Bebenhausen's most important
architectural contribution.
The village of Bebenhausen is a very pretty medieval town north
of Tübingen in the Schönbuch forest preserve.
The cloister and castle are the primary sights. Entrance to the
cloister is €3.50 and there is a good audio guide available in many
languages.
It's open all year round except Jan 1, Dec 24, 25, 31.
April - October
Mo. 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:00
Tu. - Su. 9:00-18:00
November - March
Tu. - Su. 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00