Germany's 10 most beautiful abbeys

With its ninth-century Westwork, Corvey Abbey is architecturally unique. Over the years, emperors, kings and princes have resided here. The Benedictine abbey was in use until 1803, when it was secularized under Napoleon. Today, it is privately owned but remains open to the public. Corvey Abbey became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

The Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau, located on an island on Lake Constance, is also listed as a World Heritage Site. The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in the eighth century, making it one of the oldest abbeys in Germany. Early on, it developed into a cultural center. The numerous magnificent frescos in the Romanesque churches on the island testify to its significance for art history.

The Hessian abbey, a World Heritage Site since1991, was one of the most renowned monasteries of the Carolingian Empire. It was founded by Benedictine monks, but the order was replaced by Cistercians in the 13th century and then by Premonstratensians before being disbanded in 1556. In 1621, large parts of the abbey were destroyed, leaving only the original "Königshalle" gatehouse intact.

The Swabian monastery complex in Maulbronn also enjoys World Heritage status. It is regarded as the best preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps. Following the Reformation, the monastery was disbanded and converted into a monastic school to train prospective clergy. Famous students included scientist Johannes Kepler and author Hermann Hesse.

The Protestant monastery of St Augustine in Erfurt has applied to be added to the list of World Heritage Sites. From 1505 to 1511, Martin Luther lived here as an Augustine monk. Later, he said those were the most formative years of his life. In 1559, during the Reformation, the monastery was closed and in the following centuries the building served as an orphanage and a library.

To this day, Benedictine monks live in this prominent place of pilgrimage in Bavaria. Tourists value the wonderful Rococo style monastic buildings and the beer that has been brewed here on the so-called holy hill since the 15th century. You can spend the night at the monastery or just take a seat on the terraces of the "Bräustüberl" brewing house and enjoy the view of the Bavarian Alps.

This former Cistercian monastery, founded in 1136, was not just known as a spiritual and religious site, it was also famous for its wine. In the 16th century, its wine cellar is thought to have been home to the largest wine barrel in the world. Today, the former abbey in the picturesque slopes of the vineyards of Rheingau is dedicated to wine production run by the Hessische Staatsweingüter.

The abbey church of Maria Laach is considered a masterpiece of German Romanesque architecture. The abbey, founded in 1093, was secularized in the early 19th century. The Benedictine monks returned, however, in 1892 and the monastery in the Eifel region once again retained abbey status. Today, it incorporates several cottage industries, a book and art publishing company, as well as an organic farm.

The splendid baroque interior of the basilica has made this Bavarian abbey famous. The main building was constructed in the middle ages, with what was an unusual dodecagonal floor plan for the time. Benedictine monks revived this abbey some 100 years ago. In addition to the brewery and several guest houses, the monks also manage a hotel.

The Benedictine abbey is thought to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria. Irish and Scottish monks founded it in the seventh century. The abbey church dates from the Baroque era. Tourists enjoy the history but also its picturesque location on a peninsula in the Danube River. The abbey also provides guestrooms for anyone wishing to spend the night.