Mariawald Abbey

Mariawald Abbey, known in German as Abtei Mariawald, was a significant monastery of the Trappists (Cistercians of the Strict Observance) situated in the Eifel region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Its history stretches back to the late 15th century when the Cistercians established a priory on a site that had become a place of pilgrimage following Heinrich Fluitter's vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The monastery took its name from this devotion to Mary and its woodland surroundings, translating to "Mary's wood."

Dating from the 15th century, the monastic complex exhibits architectural elements from various periods, including a late Gothic gate from 1538 and a church constructed between 1874 and 1891. Over the centuries, Mariawald experienced periods of closure and upheaval, notably during the French annexation in the late 18th century and exile due to the Kulturkampf in the late 19th century. It was also forced to evacuate during World War II and suffered significant damage, necessitating extensive rebuilding.

In 1860, the priory was re-established by Trappist monks from Oelenberg Abbey. By 1909, Mariawald was elevated from priory to abbey status. It held the distinction of being the last men's Trappist monastery in Germany. A unique aspect of its later history was the 2008 permission granted by Pope Benedict XVI to return to the Old Rite, adhering to the traditional religious discipline and liturgical practices in force in 1962. Despite these historical and spiritual continuities, the active monastic community departed in September 2018, marking the end of its life as a cloistered religious order. However, the site continues to function commercially, housing a tavern, bookshop, and liqueur production, and is also accessible as a museum.