Monastery Ruins Horrheim

A tour with Micha Bachteler From the late 14th to the mid-16th century, devout women lived on the mountain above Horrheim, initially as recluses without a fixed religious affiliation, later as regulated Augustinians. They led a secluded, pious life characterized by prayer, work, and charitable activities. The monastery complex played not only a religious but also a social role in the region. Thanks to extensive archaeological excavations, the preserved foundation walls of the former monastery buildings can now be visited. They provide an impressive insight into the size and structure of the complex and allow for a better understanding of the living conditions of the women who resided there at the time. Micha Bachteler, who has been involved in the excavations from the very beginning, personally leads the tour. He vividly explains the construction methods, the archaeological finds, and the different phases of use of the monastery complex. Participants will learn not only details about the daily lives of the recluses and Augustinians but also about the connections to regional developments, economic backgrounds, and religious practices of the time. The tour makes it clear how closely faith, work, and community were intertwined and what traces this life has left to this day. Visitors to the site thus gain a lively and comprehensive insight into the history of the monastery and the history of Horrheim in the Middle Ages.