Seligenstadt

Leaving Lohr a. Main, we drove on through lots of woods and forested areas (not pines, but deciduous tall straight trees). All are leafing out now. There were occasional blooming trees–white blossoms, mixed into the forests, like popcorn trees. We drove another 30-40 min to a town called Seligenstadt.

Arriving in Seligenstadt, we parked right next to a memorial to the synagogue that was destroyed by the Nazis on 10 November 1938. The cornerstones marked the place where it stood.

Seligenstadt is one of Germany’s oldest towns, on the banks of the Main River, just a half-hour from Frankfurt. It’s known for its Benedictine Abbey, medieval Old Town, and lively Carnival celebrations. And it just happened that we arrived during one of those celebrations. They hold the Spring Festival on the weekend 2 weeks after Easter. It’s a smaller town, and it felt like everyone turned out for the fest, filling the streets with vendors selling food items and wares of every sort. It was fun. There was live music and outdoor cafes full of people. Lots of beer and wine and happiness.

We’d heard about the beautiful church here, and it wasn’t hard to find.

We got to the church just before the 6:00 mass was to begin. We had time to look around a bit first.

A handful of people came to worhip.

Behind the church we walked along the river.

Then we looked in on the Abbey and Kloster. The former Benedictine Abbey is one of the most precious gems to see in Seligenstadt. It is one of the most well-preserved monastery complexes in Hesse. Founded in the 9th century, it was a fully operating monastery where monks lived and worked until secularization in the 19th century. Einhard, a founder, artist, and scholar, built the Benedictine Abbey. Monks lived here for almost a thousand years.

Surrounding the monastery is approximately 30,000 square meters of the garden, reconstructed to historic structure and horticulture.

After much renovation to the abbey, it has regained its baroque splendor making it Seligenstadt’s most visited spot.

Things weren’t open for visitors this evening, so we went back into town to enjoy the Spring Fest and to have some dinner.

It’s Spargel Suppe (asparagus soup) season. Yum.

Our visits today to Wertheim, Lohr am Main and Seligenstadt were wonderful. All three towns are within an hour’s drive of Frankfurt. We are so happy to be here surrounded by so many beautiful places.