Ottobeuern, Germany – 2024

The abbey was founded by the Benedictine order in the 8th century, one of a number of surviving important religious buildings in Bavaria which can date their history back to those times.

The early history of the monastery appears to have been somewhat of a rollercoaster, with enthusiastic abbots who installed reforms and set up centres for writing and, later, printing and the grant of the ‘Imperial Abbey’ status (which essentially gave the abbot the rights of an independent state subject only to the Emperor, including the right to raise taxes from the surrounding villages).

But the abbey also suffered from financial instability and the frequent central European wars. The 18th century, with a period of peace and prosperity, meant that the institution could start to bloom and the imposing Baroque complex dates from this period.

Ottobeuren was taken into government hands during the Napoleonic era and only became a religious institution again in 1835 (as a priory) and in the early 20th century it regained its status as an abbey.

Ottobeuren Abbey is these days also well-known for its series of classical music concerts held every Saturday in the summer months, which started after the Second World War and have attracted prominent conductors and musicians.