Eibingen Abbey, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany

Eibingen Abbey (in German Abtei St. Hildegard) is Benedictine nunnery, originally founded in 1165 by Hildegard von Bingen. It was dissolved at the beginning of the 19th century during the secularization of this part of Germany. The present community was established by Charles, 6th Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg in 1904 and re-settled from St. Gabriel's Abbey, Bertholdstein. The nunnery belongs to the Beuronese Congregation within the Benedictine Confederation. The current buildings were also built between 1900-1904 in Neo-Romanticism style.

In 1941, the nuns were expelled by the Nazis; they were not able to return until 1945. In 1988, the sisters founded Marienrode Priory at Hildesheim, which became independent of Eibingen in 1998.

The nuns work in the vineyard and in the craft workshops, besides undertaking the traditional duties of hospitality. They can be heard (but not seen) singing their regular services. The abbey is a Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site. The church has been used for concerts of the Rheingau Musik Festival, such as a 'BachTrompetenGala' with Edgar Krapp, organ.

References:

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User Reviews

Nina Trubanová (2 months ago)
The shop offers books, wine, souvenirs, and many local products, such as spice and tea mixes, and vegan snacks.

gitte cikær Jensen (7 months ago)
Very interesting place with a lot of things to see and taste and buy in the little café and shop. And the walk to/from there was also beautiful.

Mariana Schnell (8 months ago)
The abbey is worth the trek. Beautiful grounds. The cafe has goodies made by the nun. The shop is also very good.

Danae Ashley (11 months ago)
A thin place of the world: spiritual and healing. I went there as part of the Hildegard von Bingen Pilgrimage Way. I highly recommend both!

Dan Sorvik (11 months ago)
I didn't learn anything about Hildegard. The benediction essence has taken this place over, turning it into a German speaking only wine sales tourist trap. There's beautiful gardens you can't visit, 1000 books all in German and too many varieties of Reisling to make an informed decision. If you're trying to learn about the wonderful polymath Hildegard, skip this. Good view, good selection of cakes in the nice cafe with cute courtyard.

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