Discover Bebenhausen: Monastery, Palace and Schönbuch

Bebenhausen is known for its former Cistercian abbey, Bebenhausen Palace and trails in Schönbuch Nature Park. Visitors can tour historic rooms with their original furnishings; the monastery’s architectural history and the nature park exhibition also offer concrete starting points for your stay.

Bebenhausen Monastery Church and Palace

The former Cistercian abbey is one of the most significant and impressive monastic complexes in southwestern Germany. Its monastery church was consecrated in 1228. It is a three-aisled, flat-roofed basilica with pillars, minimally projecting transept arms and a rectangular chancel. Mary, the patron saint of the order, is its patron saint.

The fortifications also shape the impression made by the complex: a mighty wall from the second half of the 13th century protects the inner monastery precinct and separates it from the farmyard. Its elevated position on a spur of land, a wall walk, two towers and an outer bailey in front of the Kapff building give the monastic complex the appearance of a castle.

The summer refectory was rebuilt in 1335 after a fire. Its delicate star vault rests on three slender octagonal pillars. The Kreuzgangkonzerte concert series holds summer concerts in this room every year; the programme may vary from year to year. The combination of medieval architecture and a venue that is still in use makes the refectory a special part of the complex.

Since the renovations under King Charles I of Württemberg, this part of the monastic complex has been known as Bebenhausen Palace. The palace served as a royal hunting lodge and residence of the last Württemberg royal couple. Visitors can tour its historic rooms with their original furnishings. The palace kitchen is both a rarity and a technical monument. The Royal Silver Collection from Bebenhausen can now be seen in display cases in the Blue Hall.

Exhibitions and experiences in the nature park

The Schönbuch Nature Park Information Centre is housed in the monastery’s old writing tower. It opened in 1997 to mark the nature park’s 25th anniversary. Exhibition panels provide information about the history of Schönbuch and its animal and plant life. A visit therefore connects the monastery’s history with a glimpse of the natural environment explored by the trails around Bebenhausen.

Circular walks and day hikes

The Jordan Loop is one of three signposted circular trails around Bebenhausen. Check the trail markers on site before setting off. Another hiking option is a route from Bebenhausen to the Royal Hunting Lodge: the one-way distance is just under five kilometres, and the return follows the same route. This makes it easy to distinguish a circular walk from a hike with the same outward and return route, without confusing the two. Numerous day hikes through Schönbuch Nature Park also lead to Bebenhausen Monastery and Palace.

Tübingen as a wider travel destination

The wider destination of Tübingen offers additional, distinct cultural and nature experiences. The Museum of Ancient Cultures in Hohentübingen Castle presents, among other things, the oldest works of art created by humankind, including Ice Age art that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tübingen’s old town is a half-timbered historic district with a total of 350 cultural monuments, romantic squares and winding lanes; it is also a listed historic ensemble with numerous significant individual monuments.

The City Museum is housed in the former granary in Tübingen’s old town. It hosts changing exhibitions on the city’s history and current development, as well as two permanent exhibitions: one on the city’s history and one on paper-cut artist Lotte Reiniger. Regular events and educational activities for children and young people round out the programme. Those interested in nature and plants can explore the collections at the University of Tübingen’s Botanical Garden, arranged by geographical, ecological and taxonomic criteria. The ten-hectare garden is home to almost 10,000 plant species from around the world and includes, among other things, a medicinal herb garden, a cottage garden and flower borders featuring showy perennials. A circular route of about 0.75 kilometres follows wide paths with no steps. These destinations broaden the focus of a stay beyond the Bebenhausen monastery and palace complex.

Getting here and finding accommodation

The Bebenhausen monastery and palace complex can be reached on bus route 826 from Tübingen towards Leinfelden Central Station and on bus route 828 from Tübingen towards Echterdingen Airport/Exhibition Centre. More than 100 free public parking spaces are within walking distance. Check current bus connections when planning your trip.

For the wider travel overview: Tübingen.