abbey and church
In Maria Laach, both landscape and culture – God’s creation and the creative power of people – are united in a truly unique way. The abbey church of Maria Laach, where people have proclaimed their praise of God for centuries, represents the soul of this wonderful place. In this connection lies the appeal of the monastery for many people. Whoever comes here should be able to say: I find myself in Maria Laach. People from all over the world are welcomed with Benedictine hospitality by us, the staff and the ca. 30 Benedictines who live at Maria Laach Abbey
Sights worth seeing: The centrepiece of this monastery’s complex is the six-tower basilica. It is considered one of the most beautiful Romanesque monuments in northern Europe. The church is open to all people.
The church services – up to five a day – as well as daily opportunities to attend confession, are also open to people of all denominations. The Laach Schola is famous for its exceptionally beautiful Gregorian chants, which are still sung at mass held today.
In front of the church is the so-called “Paradise”, an almost square enclosed courtyard dating from the 13th century, consisting of three wings with open arcades. It is the only surviving Paradise north of the Alps. In the centre of the courtyard lies a small garden and the bubbling lion fountain created by Brother Radbod Commandeur in 1928.
Upon entering the church, our eyes are drawn to the large mosaic painting in the choir room in the east apse. It shows Christ the Redeemer, enthroned above all, holding in his left hand the open book with the words “I am the way, the truth and the life.” from John 14:6. Here, the monks gather at the fixed prayer times to praise God and pray for the peace of the world and the salvation of mankind.
Maria Laach is a place of art and culture. The abbey church combines all aspects: Works by artists and the brothers spanning the many epochs, as well as regular organ concerts and matinees with abbey organist, Gereon Krahforst, are part of the diverse cultural opportunities at the site.
Nature
A well-developed trail system offers a variety of hiking, geocaching and cycling tours in the nature reserve. Swimming and bathing are also possible in the Laacher See lake at designated spots. You can also rent pedal boats or rowing boats for a tour on the lake.
The Laacher See valley in Germany’s volcanic East Eifel region is one of the landscapes that is still untouched and pure today. It radiates a palpable silence and serenity.
A volcanic eruption nearly 13,000 years ago created the landscape – which is now the largest nature reserve in Rhineland-Palatinate, among other things – with a force unimaginable today. The Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach lies in a caldera, a collapsed magma chamber. Deep below the nature reserve at a depth of just under 45 kilometres, the so-called “Eifel Plume” begins. It still renders volcanism visible in many places today, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) mofettes on the eastern shore of the lake.
Accomodation
Maria Laach offers a wide variety of accommodation options.
In the monastery itself, visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of the abbey’s guest wing, and participate directly in the life of the monks. Courses and seminars round off the offer, and provide the opportunity for contemplation or creativity.
Contact by emailThe campsite at Laacher See offers tent pitches, as well as camper van pitches with corresponding services.
Get in touchFounded in 1865 and freshly modernised, the 4-star superior “Seehotel” offers 55 rooms, including minimal-barrier and barrier-free rooms; a home away from home so to speak for its guests. Families are welcome to enjoy a stay in the specially designed rooms with connecting doors.
Book onlineDelicious meals
The physical well-being of our visitors is well catered for.
In the new monastery restaurant, you can enjoy an unprecedented view of the abbey church and the Laacher See valley. We offer our visitors regional delicacies with a capacity of up to 300 seats. The directly adjacent playground is easily visible from the large terrace. We are happy to take reservations for 10 or more people on 0049 2652 584511 or by e-mail
In the café in the lakeside hotel, which was founded in 1865, the confectioners offer up to 20 different cakes and tarts every single day. Among them are popular classics in new guises, as well as their own, in-house creations. Speciality coffees and tea are also available. Reservations are gladly accepted by phone 0049 2652 58450 or by e-mail seehotel@maria-laach.de.
Make a reservationThe restaurant “Tausend93” offers upscale cuisine in a timeless ambience. Fish from the Laacher See, as well as meat from the organic monastery farm and regional butchers, underscore for the seasonal-regional character of our dishes. Outstanding wines from regional cultivation, among others, round off the offer. Reservations are gladly accepted by phone 0049 2652 584512 or by e-mail
In the monastery restaurant, as well as in the Tausend93 restaurant, our visitors enjoy the beer brewed in the immediate vicinity of the abbey. Light or dark monastery beer, as well as specially brewed “Klosterweizen”, inspire our visitors.
Group travel offers
Our visitor service is happy to assist groups of 10 or more in planning an unforgettable visit to Maria Laach. Whether it’s just for a few hours or days; our team will arrange guided tours of the grounds, the historic “Jesuit Library” or the abbey’s craft workshops. Our team will book your stay in the monastery restaurant or the lakeside hotel to suit your desired time. Recommendations for visits to the businesses at Laach monastery such as the bookshop, nursery or monastery shop (complete with authentic monastery products), are also provided.
Book a group travel experienceLocal stores
In the monastery businesses of Maria Laach, our guests will find homemade craftsmanship, as well as products selected with care. In the businesses located on the abbey grounds, you will also find products from the monastery publishing house that lend real expression to the spiritual experience people have in the monastery.
High-quality bronze gifts, cards and calendars, as well as books and missals, are available in the book and art shop, which invites you to browse in a wonderful atmosphere.
In the local stores on the abbey grounds you will also find products from the monastery's publishing house, which give concrete expression to the spiritual experience people are having in the monastery.
Order onlineIn the monastery shop, visitors can buy good things from the Laach craft workshops. Tableware, vases and more from the monastery’s ceramics manufactory, high-quality fruit brandies and gin, fountain pens and notebooks from the bookbindery, as well as tasty fruit spreads and chutneys. The popular Laach monastery beer can also be purchased here to take home.
Order onlineSince the garden centre’s opening in 1959, the “Klostergärtnerei” has developed into a gem in the German garden centre landscape. In addition to a large selection of plants, a major part of the fruit harvest from the monastery’s own orchard is sold here.
The Online Shop
Authentic and high-quality monastic products are made in the abbey’s workshops: Ceramics, pens, notebooks and albums, greeting cards, candles, bronzes and much more.
When looking to buy great products and discover new things, visit the abbey’s online shop www.segensreich.de. The current German-language offering includes a selection from the businesses in Laach such as the ceramics manufactory, the wrought art workshop, the manufacture of fine writing instruments, the bookbindery and the monastery publishing house. Shipping is possible worldwide. The abbey’s “Segensreich” shop has already served enthusiastic customers from the USA to Australia.
Discover nowDirections and parking
By car
The motorway exit (A61) is Mendig/Maria Laach. From the motorway exit, it is approx. 2 km to Maria Laach. Plan your route now.
There is a charge for parking in the visitor car park of the Benedictine abbey. An automated parking barrier is installed. A parking ticket must be taken upon entry. Please keep the ticket in a safe place.
By train
Maria Laach Abbey is about 16 km from Andernach. The nearest train stations are Niedermendig and Andernach. For up-to-date information on rail connections, visit www.bahn.de
Current information on bus connections from Andernach can be found at “www.vrminfo.de”: www.vrminfo.de/fahrplan/ Our stop: “Kloster/Parkplatz, Glees – Maria Laach” Or use the “VRM Timetable App”. In the Apple AppStore and Google PlayStore. There is a charge for parking in the visitor car park of the Benedictine abbey. An automated parking barrier is installed. A parking ticket must be taken upon entry. Please keep the ticket in a safe place.
By plane
The nearest airport is Cologne/Bonn (CGN), approx. 70 km away. Frankfurt am Main Airport (FFM) is also easily accessible with a good hour’s drive via the A3 motorway.
Parking in Maria Laach
The parking fees for maintenance, care and general order, as well as to ensure the smooth running of the park after the first half hour – which is free of charge – are as follows:
For passenger cars
- 1.00 €/first hour started
- 3.00 €/second hour started
- 5.00 €/from the third hour started until midnight
For buses, motorhomes and cars from 2.30 metres in height
- 3.00 €/first hour started
- 5.00 €/second hour started
- 7.00 €/from the third hour started until midnight
Group travel offers
Our visitor service is happy to assist groups of 10 or more in planning an unforgettable visit to Maria Laach. Whether it’s just for a few hours or days; our team will arrange guided tours of the grounds, the historic “Jesuit Library” or the abbey’s craft workshops. Our team will book your stay in the monastery restaurant or the lakeside hotel to suit your desired time. Recommendations for visits to the businesses at Laach monastery such as the bookshop, nursery or monastery shop (complete with authentic monastery products), are also provided.
Book a group travel experience