Schöntal: Monastery Architecture in the Jagst Valley

Schöntal combines Baroque monastery architecture with its location in the Jagst Valley in Hohenlohe. The monastery church is a tall, light-filled hall in the shape of a cross, with an imposing double-tower façade. Other highlights include a chapel on Kreuzberg, historic places such as Neusaß, and gardens for quieter moments. There are different ways to discover the area, whether you are interested in architectural history, the landscape or paths through the valley.

Monastery Church, New Abbey and Holy Sepulchre Chapel

The monastery church was built from 1708 to 1736 and consecrated in 1736. Its cruciform layout is distinctly different from the slender octagonal shape of the Holy Sepulchre Chapel. The construction dates also give the monastery complex its own sequence: the church was followed by the New Abbey, built from 1737 to 1749. Its richly decorated staircase is a striking architectural detail. The New Abbey is also home to the tomb of the knight Götz von Berlichingen.

The Holy Sepulchre Chapel on Kreuzberg was built from 1716 to 1720 to a design by Balthasar Neumann, with Bernhard Schießer carrying out the construction. Its octagonal form sets it apart from the cruciform monastery church. A footpath about 300 metres long leads uphill to the chapel. From there, you can enjoy a view across the valley. When planning your visit, take the incline into account as well as the approximate path length; check the path conditions before you set out.

Neusaß and the History of the Monastery

Neusaß lies above Schöntal Monastery, amid woods, meadows and fields. It is regarded as the birthplace of Schöntal Monastery. In 1157, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa confirmed the monastery’s foundation in a letter of protection. Two different perspectives on the area’s history come together here: the early foundation tradition associated with Neusaß and the monastery buildings that were erected later and remain defining features today. For anyone interested in local history, this connection provides a thread that extends beyond individual buildings.

Gardens, the Jagst and Aschhausen Castle

The newly redesigned convent garden invites you to relax, stroll and linger outdoors. The cross garden has a children’s playground. These offer different reasons to include the gardens in your day’s plans. The layout and play equipment may change; if these are important to your visit, check the current situation on site.

At the weir in Schöntal Monastery, there is an unsupervised bathing area in the flowing Jagst. The water is not sampled or monitored. Before swimming, check the local conditions and take this limitation into account when deciding whether to bathe.

Another historic stop is Aschhausen Castle, which rises above the Erlenbach Valley, a side valley of the Jagst. The castle was built in the 17th or 18th century and is privately owned by the Zeppelin-Aschhausen family. Visits are arranged by phone on 07943 2358. Check in advance whether a visit is currently possible.

Schöntal and the Wider Hohenlohe District

In the wider Hohenlohe district destination, numerous cycle paths add to the ways of exploring the region. Three Limes viewing platforms offer sweeping views across the landscape; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Limes also runs in a straight line through the Hohenlohe district. These regional highlights broaden the experience beyond the local monastery and landscape attractions.

Choose accommodation to suit the kind of trip you want, without assuming that one particular focus is right for every stay.

Discover more destinations: Waldenburg, Bretzfeld, Künzelsau, Niedernhall, Forchtenberg, Pfedelbach, Kupferzell, Sindringen.

Back to the main travel overview: Hohenlohe.