After living in Germany for 9 months I have discovered my favorite place in Germany so far and no it’s not Berlin or Munich or Stuttgart. Walking into the historic center of felt like I was slipping back into the previous century. I was literally speechless and for those that don’t know me, that rarely ever happens. I have never been so immediately captivated by a place, a place where I could experience all of my favorite things at once. I must have said “Wow” a 100 times. Unless you’re very familiar with Germany, there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of the charming town of Maulbronn, located just 35 km from Stuttgart. I hadn’t heard of it until my German friend (thanks Barbara) recommended it to me and I live close by. Here’s why I couldn’t stop saying “Wow.”
Maulbronn is most famous for it’s monastery founded in 1147. It is by far the most impressive monastery I’ve ever been in and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Maulbronn Monastery has an interesting beginning. Legend has it that some monks decided that wherever their mule stopped for a drink of water would be the ideal location for their monastery and so a monastery was built. I could go on and on about the Maulbronn Monastery, but will save it for an upcoming post devoted entirely to the monastery. See Maulbronn Monastery – The Most Important Cistercian Monastery in Europe.
The entire city center of Maulbronn was protected by a wall, part of which you can still see today and nestled into a valley, it’s a very picturesque setting.
Nestled into this picturesque valley are charming half timber houses and shops all part of the monastery complex. While the monastery itself and the monastery complex have such an old history, the actual town of Maulbronn outside the walled monastery complex is only 150 years old and was founded on the monastery settlement.
And of course every town needs a granary – and somewhere to store the wine. Today the old granary is used for special events.
And as a cat lover I was thrilled to see a restaurant with the name “cat” in it and this little cat door in the middle of the complex. People that love cats are good people in my book and the few cats I did see roaming the streets of Maulbronn looked very well fed.
The witches tower stands tall and prominent in the city center. As the name would suggest, this was where people were held for trial for witchcraft in the 1400s.
Just in case you’re not convinced to join the other 300,000 tourists that visit Maulbronn, there is also a ruin. It was under construction during our visit, but it appears that it is normally a picnic area.
Leading outside the walled settlement is a bridge that leads you to a lake where you can swim in summer or choose one of the other walking paths designed around the motto “Water, wine and forest in the Cistercian Cultural Landscape.” I love hiking so will definitely bring my walking shoes with me next time and sample the wine too of course.
I find it hard to believe that a monastery would need protection but they did. In addition to the walled settlement there was also a zwinger. The zwinger was an area surrounding the wall where usually a bear or dogs were kept to keep would be intruders out and prisoners in the witches corner in. Escaping would have been difficult.
Have I convinced you to put Malbronn on your places to visit yet?
You may also be interested in visiting Schwäbisch Hall: My 2nd Favorite City in Germany or Rothenburg ob der Tauber, another well preserved medieval town, but one that’s very popular with tourists.
I'm Laurel, a former Program Director from Canada now living in Munich, Germany. I love traveling, diving, and hiking. I'm also an animal enthusiast with a special affinity for monkeys, cats and sharks.
Thanks for this post! I love learning about new places to visit that are not on the normal tourist beat! I will definitely put this on my list for my next trip to Germany.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..St Patrick’s Day and Irish Proverbs Towards the Path To Wisdom
I’ve been there. Maulbronn is very sweet.
Nice post!
CN Heidelberg recently posted..Spring!
Yes, you’ve convinced me. Germany really knows how to picturesque, fairytale settings doesn’t it?! We need to get back there soon to see more of the country.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Turkeys For Life In The National Press
@Debbie – It really is worth a trip. We’re always checking out new places in Germany and this by far has been my favorite!
@CN Heidelberg – Wonderful, glad to hear someone has been and enjoyed it.
@Turkeys for Life – Excellent, I’ll even be your personal tour guide when you come
Oh wow – and I bet there’s good beer there too, and roast pork…
robin recently posted..Carnaval
Wow! A new meaning for quaint. Maulbronn reeks of history and tradition. Wonderful pictures. Thx for the tour.
Barry recently posted..Bellevue Mine – Crowsnest Pass – Hiking Alberta
Aaarrh, what a beautiful little village. I just want to shrink it down and put it in my pocket!
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..Backpacking Denali – 7 Memorable Mistakes We Made
That’s just beautiful! Imagine it covered in snow? Have you had lots of snow this winter?
John in France recently posted..The New Zealand Way
What a great-looking place.
I remember being blown away by the fairytale-ness of Freiburg but this looks like it’s even better!
I forwarded the link to my friend in Germany who is obsessed by cats. I reckon she’ll be visiting there soon.
The Dropout recently posted..A Fortuitous Fart An Inspiring Travel Tale
one thing i definitely remember about germany, especially the south, was the majestic “fairytale” cities. i hadnt heard of maulbronn before, but definitely looks like a worthwhile visit. the witch tower looks pretty crazy,
You’re right….I hadn’t heard of Maulbronn before, but it looks really charming! Almost like a setting for one of Grimm’s fairytales. You’ll have to revisit there in the spring and show us photos of all the trees and flowers in bloom
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..The Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show
Looks and sounds idyllic,. Should merit a stop-over in the south-western corner of Germany.
Mette
Mette Christensen recently posted..Crema al cioccolato
@Robin – I’m sure. Good beer and pork are pretty easy to find everywhere in Germany
@Barry – Quaint is an excellent way to describe it. The town has a population of 6400.
@Jill – Love your description about shrinking it down and putting it in your pocket.
@John – You’re right, it would be beautiful in winter. We had a ton of snow in Dec, but then it disappeared. You?
@The Drop-Out – I haven’t been to Freiburg yet, but I’ve loved everywhere I’ve been in the Black Forest, so I can imagine that it’s also beautiful.
@Jamie – “Fairytale” is an excellent way to describe the small villages in southern Germany.
@Michael – You’re right, it would be the perfect setting for one of Grimm’s fairytales!
@ Mette – Definitely.
Fantastic views. Will have to stop by on my next visit!
Irina Sazonova recently posted..Day 69-77- Eternal memory or
You just spotted Maulbronn on my map. And I would like to add one more “WOW”! This place looks so amazing, and the history behind makes it look even more interesting! One more reason to return to Germany. Btw, you’re right, I had never heard of it!
Norbert recently posted..Best Travel Shows to Inspire Wanderlust
Looks like a dream. I am putting Malbronn on my list next time I am in Germany. Can’t wait to hear about the monastery visit. How interesting that the monks just set up where their mule was thirsty.
Suzy recently posted..Redhead Reviews Travel Grove
@Norbert – I would recommend it to everyone coming to Germany, even though it isn’t well known. As an architect I think you would find it extremely interesting as well.
@Suzy – Oh good, hope you’re able to get there one day. I love how they decided on the location of the monastery, they obviously had a smart mule because the location is gorgeous.
Another place I hadn’t heard of that looks amazing–plus I learned what a zwinger is! I’d like to check Malbronn out when I visit Germany this fall! Thanks for the post!
@Chris – If you come to Germany you will see a lot of zwingers and I’d definitely put Malbronn on your list when you come.
Yep you were right, I’ve never heard of the place before – seems awesome, and it looks SO German!
@Sofia – Maulbronn is really small (6400 people), but I love it and agree, it looks very German.
Oh, I love this! Much of my experience with Germany was a week I spent in a small town for a wedding, and I love the charm.
Abby recently posted..Meet Liz- of Travelogged
Beautiful! I’ve just added Malbronn to my list of places to see this fall. Thanks!
Pete | Hecktic Travels recently posted..Housesitting 201
I love your blog and the pictures! If you like these kind of towns I could also recommend Ladenburg which is near Heidelberg if you haven’t seen it yet.
Claudia recently posted..Ritter Sport Blog
Wow, Maulbronn looks beautiful. Must have been in Germany 40 times or more, but never heard of this little jewel. Thanks!
I actually got to live and work in Maulbronn for 8 weeks in the summer of ’09! When I tell people where I was no one has ever even heard of it, now I’ll refer them to this blog post!
Maulbronn is also known for the delicious Maultaschen!
your right i have never heard of it, but those photos are breathtaking
Alexa Goldman recently posted..Coffin Couches
Wow, you’re right – never heard of Maulbronn…!
Roy | Cruisesurfingz recently posted..The Creators Project aka Free Booze In Paris
Cool! Didn’t know about this place, always love historic locations that are kept intact. Great post!
I am convinced this place needs a visit. Maulbronn looks enchanting.
Traveling Ted recently posted..The seven links travel blogging project: I am a one hit wonder
@Abby – I love the charm of German villages as well.
@Pete – Excellent – it’s a bit out of the way, but worth the trip!
@Claudia – Thanks and thanks for recommending Ladenburg, I haven’t heard of it so will have to check it out.
@Sophie – 40 times in Germany? Wow! Maulbronn is off the beaten off so I can see how you haven’t heard of it.
@Brit – I am so jealous! Now you can tell your friends that someone else also loves the place
. When we toured the monastery they told us the story of how monks used to sneak meat in by creating Maultaschen. I didn’t try it when as I was there as I have a gluten allergy, but I can see that it would be very tasty.
@Alexa/@Roy/@Roy – It’s definitely worth a visit.
@Ted – I would completely agree!
Looks like a great place to visit. Next time I am down near Stuttgart I’ll have to check it out.
Most foreigners who come to Germany only check out the southern and central parts of Germany. If you haven’t yet, go north.
Since you seem to be a history buff, check out Goslar and the Harz mountains. Goslar is where my family is from and another UNESCO world heritage site. Some parts of the city is over 1000 years old. The Brocken mountain in the Harz mountains is famous for their witch trials and burnings during the middle ages and a lot of Germany’s fairy tales were inspired by the forests in the Harz mountains.