Maulbronn Monastery Complex

Maulbronn Monastery Complex, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kloster_Maulbronn_2009.jpg
Author: Elke Wetzig


Maulbronn Monastery Complex is the best-preserved Cistercian monastery complex in Europe, and the most complete medieval monastic complex north of the Alps. It is located just outside the town of Maulbronn in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, separated from the town by fortifications.

The Maulbronn Monastery Complex was founded by Eugenius III, the first Cistercian pope, in AD 1147. The monastery's church, which was built in a transitional style from Romanesque to Gothic, played a major role in the spread of Gothic architecture in northern and central Europe.

Maulbronn Monastery
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maulbronn_Kloster_01.jpg
Author: H. Zell


During the Reformation in 1504, the Maulbronn Monastery was seized by the Duke of Württemberg and used as his hunting lodge. Later on, the abbey was turned into a Protestant seminary, the Evangelical Seminaries of Maulbronn and Blaubeuren, and it remains a seminary ever since.

Maulbronn Monastery Complex was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 17th session of the World Heritage Committee which met in Cartegena, Colombia on 6-11 December, 1993.

Inside the Maulbronn Abbey church
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maulbronn_3443.JPG
Author: Fb78


Maulbronn Monastery in winter
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maulbronn2.JPG
Author: Adrian Michael

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 49 0 2.988 E 8 48 47.016
Inscription Year: 1993
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, IV