Kloster Hirsau

 This morning I took two trains into the next valley to the east of here (have to go north out of this one then south into the next), got off at Hirsau and walked to the Kloster (monastery). Construction began in 1082, and it was the largest and most important monastery in German-speaking Europe. In the late 1500s, the dukes of Württemberg built a hunting lodge (yes, another one) at one end of the monastery. The whole thing was destroyed by French troops in 1692.

Jagdschloss (hunting lodge) from outside...

...and from inside

Marienkapelle (completed in 1516)

The large main area is surrounded by arched walls built of the lovely local red sandstone. The Jagdschloss is on the south side, and the old main church is on the northern end. The Gothic Marienkapelle is off to the east.

Looking east: Marienkapelle on left, Jagdschloss (including belltower) on right

From inside: south-west corner

From inside looking north-west

Note the molehills in the foreground

Inside looking east at Marienkapelle

Photos don't do justice to the glorious red colour

Some fun shots looking through the arches into the main complex. The first photo is looking through the south door.

Looking through the main door in the western wall; Marienkapellee in the background

There is very little left of the cathedral. It was huge, judging by the walls. In the first photo, the monastery is off to the right. There's a large wooden cross, I assume where the altar was. The second photo is looking back the other way.

Taken from the back of the cathedral looking towards the front

Eulenturm (Owls' Tower) in the background

What's left of the nave. Using the self-timer doesn't always give a square picture

This is at the back of the cathedral, presumably stairs to a tower

There are ruins of what was once the monks' kitchen and summer and winter refectories. Both views are taken from the kitchen. The first shot has the small winter refectory on the left, with Marienkapelle behind. The larger summer dining room sits between the monastery and the hunting lodge.

And why not?

The self-timer is fun!

The Eulenturm is 37 metres high

It's either a well or a fountain in the foreground