Museum der Geschichte Ebrachs

About the museum

Ebrach Abbey in the Steigerwald was founded in 1127 and was the first daughter house of Morimond east of the Rhine. As early as 1136 the Cistercians were running seven granges, and by 1158 six daughter monasteries had been founded from Ebrach. Thanks to its growing landholdings, the abbey became one of the richest monasteries in Franconia by the 15th century. Under Abbot Alberich Degen (1658–1686) and his successors, above all Wilhelm Sölner (1714–1741), it enjoyed a second heyday in which numerous Baroque buildings were erected. The monastery was dissolved in 1803; today a young offenders' institution uses large parts of the complex.

Since 2004 the rooms of the former abbot's residence have housed a museum telling the history of the monastery and the market town of Ebrach. The way there via the magnificent Baroque staircase is worth it in itself. Portraits of the abbots, historical views of the town, books and archival documents, liturgical vessels and vestments convey monastic life.

The house chapel, designed by Francesco Guido Brenno in 1693, holds a replica of the crozier of Abbot Johannes Dressel; the original was taken by the Swedes in the 17th century and is now in Stockholm. Separate sections are devoted to the Cistercians' forestry and agriculture and to the monastery's current use as a prison, including a cell as it was standard until 1985.

Highlights

• Baroque staircase of the abbey
• House chapel by Francesco Guido Brenno (1693)
• Replica of the crozier of Abbot Johannes Dressel
• Portraits of the abbots of Ebrach
• Liturgical vessels and vestments
• Prison cell as it was standard until 1985

Permanent exhibition

• Geschichte von Kloster und Markt Ebrach – Tour through the staircase, former abbot's residence and house chapel: portraits of the abbots, views, archival documents and liturgical objects, plus sections on the Cistercians' forestry and agriculture and on today's prison.

Founded

2004

Admission & discounts

€2 per person; a guided tour of the museum (approx. 30 minutes) also costs €2 per person.

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