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Monastery · Rüdesheim am Rhein, Hesse
Abtei St. Hildegard
Benedictine abbey of nuns above the vineyards of Eibingen, heir to the convents of Santa Hildegarda de Bingen, with a church painted in the Beuron style, a shop and a winery.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Abtei St. Hildegard
The Abtei St. Hildegard stands above the vineyards of Eibingen, about 2 km north of Rüdesheim town centre, 150 metres above the Reno. It is a Benedictine nunnery founded in 1900 and occupied in 1904 by sisters who came from Prague.
The abbey is seen as a continuation of the convents founded by Hildegarda de Bingen, a 12th-century nun, composer and writer who was declared a Doctor of the Church. The tomb containing the saint’s relics is in the parish church of Eibingen, lower down, and is a pilgrimage site.
The neo-Romanesque building has a church and choir painted by monks of the Beuron art school, with gilded figures and strong colours. The church is usually open to visitors outside prayer times, and the nuns sing the hours in Gregorian chant.
The sisters sustain themselves from their own vineyard, the monastery shop selling wines, books and products related to Hildegarda, art workshops and a guesthouse. The monastery is part of the Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage site.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to 1 hour; allow more time if you attend a sung prayer.
Best time
By day, outside mass and prayer times if you want to walk through the church, or exactly during them to hear Gregorian chant in silence. During the harvest in September and October the surrounding vineyards become busy.
How to get there
On foot, about a 30-minute uphill walk from Rüdesheim town centre along streets and paths through the vineyards. By car or taxi there is parking next to the abbey. The Rheinsteig trail runs beside it.
Tip
It is a place of prayer: wear discreet clothing and keep silence in the church. Check the monastery shop for its own wines. Afterwards, descend to the parish church of Eibingen, where Hildegarda’s reliquary is located.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Abtei St. Hildegard
Who was Hildegarda de Bingen?
A 12th-century nun who founded convents in the region, wrote about theology, medicine and nature, and composed sacred music. She was declared a saint and a Doctor of the Church.
Can you visit the interior of the monastery?
The church and the shop welcome visitors. The nuns' cloistered areas are not open to the public.
How far is it from the center of Rüdesheim?
About 2 km, roughly a 30-minute uphill walk through the vineyards.