Aura a.d.Saale: Monastery History and Dream Viewpoint
Accommodation in Aura on the Saale
From the Dream Viewpoint in Aura, the view stretches across the village of Aura on the Saale and the Saale Valley to Trimburg Castle. Aura originated as a settlement for the dependents of the Benedictine Abbey of Uraugia. The views and local history give your visit two distinct focal points: the landscape and the development of the village.
Monastery History and Architecture
Aura Monastery, with its monastery church above the Dream Viewpoint in Aura, was founded in 1108 by Bishop Otto of Bamberg; the monastery church is one of the oldest churches in Franconia. The former monastery church was a three-aisled Romanesque basilica and received its present Baroque furnishings in 1720. The term “three-aisled” describes the division into three aisles. Together with the later Baroque furnishings, this makes it possible to view the building’s form and fittings as distinct historical layers.
Above the steps, on the wall, are six pointed-arch arcades, some of them restored remains of the former cloister. This makes the former cloister, as well as the church, part of the monastery’s history. More information about the monastery’s history is available in the Apostles’ Hall next to the church.
Getting Around Aura
The Kirchberg, with the former Benedictine monastery and town hall, is in Kleinaura. The small outdoor swimming pool is in GroĂźaura. In and around Aura, tasting trees are listed, including apple trees and apple and pear trees. The municipality continually updates the list; if you are looking for specific locations, check the current map.
Trails and Water in the Wider Travel Region
In the wider region, the Franconian Saale offers a natural, unspoiled route for canoe touring. Hiking trails are well signposted in the southern part of the Rhön Nature Park. Marked cycle paths away from the main roads lead through the Saale Valley and the wooded uplands to Bad Kissingen, Bad Bocklet, Hammelburg, or the Rhön. Canoe touring, hiking, and cycling offer different ways to explore the wider region.
Within the Wider Destination of Bad Kissingen
The district of Bad Kissingen lies on the southern edge of the Rhön and combines the foothills and open expanses of the Rhön with a long wine-making tradition and valuable medicinal water. The Schondra Valley is considered one of the most beautiful unspoiled forest valleys in Franconia.
The transport information also refers to the district: the A 7 between Fulda and WĂĽrzburg and the A 71 between Erfurt and Schweinfurt cross it from north to south. Since January 1, 2025, the district has been part of the Mainfranken Public Transport Network (NVM).
Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip
If you want your stay to focus on monastery history, the church, and the views, Aura is the place to make your base; if you are also planning to hike, cycle, or go canoe touring, you should take the wider region into account as well. This will help you decide on the right mix for your trip.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Thundorf in Unterfranken, Wildflecken, Ramsthal, Riedenberg, Bad Kissingen, Wartmannsroth, MaĂźbach, MĂĽnnerstadt.
Back to the main travel overview: Bad Kissingen.
