Kloster Maria Laach

There is an Abbey over 1000 years old on a Volcanic crater lake (Maar) that we stopped to see after our visit at Nurburgring. It was about 20 miles from Nurburg. The church was beautiful. The monks were chanting mass at the time so no photos were allowed inside, but we had a quiet moment of meditation and prayer to their beautiful music.

The complex is quite large, with a store selling seedlings and plants, a bookstore, and restaurants. There is also a 4 star hotel which is rather pricey.

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Parking on a Sunday is about 1.50 Euro between the Monastery grounds and the lake. The lake is about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot. The lake is quite large. Maria Laach is located off the autobahn between Trier and Koblenz.

http://www.maria-laach.de/aktuelles/aktuelles.htm The website of the Abbey in German

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Laach_Abbey English website Wikipedia

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http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/maria-laach-abbey.htm Catholic Website in English about it's history and things to see and do here.

Mont-Saint-Michel : Monastery

The Monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel was built in the 800s and added to throughout the years. For years Monks, Nuns and Pilgrims wandered through the halls and today it is normally overun with tourists. Going at opening time on a February weekday we found ourselves to be alone most of the time (though a Japanese tour bus was at our heels at the beginning). A rarity indeed.

The Cloister Gardens

These pillars really are about too wide to spread your arms around.

http://www.lemontsaintmichel.info/Monastere.aspx

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10551a.htm

Andechs Monastery

The Andechs Monastery is an excellent example of an ornate Baroque church. It's about a 20 minute drive SW of Munich.

We're not beer drinkers, but some say the monks make the best beer in Germany. The restaurant and Beer Garden are always crowded.

There's an Inn, restaurants, gift shop, and at the parking lot there is a miniature golf course.

You can climb the tower for 1 Euro and feast your eyes on the view.
Monastery Website http://www.andechs.de/englisch/kloster/

Bavaria: Ettal Monastery

Deep in Bavaria there is an old Monastery where Monks continue to work and worship.

http://www.kloster-ettal.de/index-uk.html

Himmerod Abbey

In the center of the Eifel region, we find this restored Monastery that dates back hundreds of years. It was destroyed during the 1800s and restored after WW II.

The chapel is a quiet place to meditate and pray. Occasionally there are organ concerts.

The dark, detailed woodwork is very beautiful.


There is an apple orchard with benches. We like to come on Sunday afternoon

The monks raise and sell smoke fish, and also have a vineyard which produces a fine wine. They also have a bookstore, a museum and a restaurant.

http://www.kloster-himmerod.de/ (German Webpage)