On an unusually warm February day, I enjoyed a visit to the lovely settlement of Bebenhausen. This early medieval town is a “must see” that is very close to Stuttgart. Bebenhausen was the last home to the monarchy of Baden-Württemberg, King Wilhelm II and Queen Charlotte. The residence was last updated in 1918 with many modern conveniences of the time, including a functional shower and his and her bath sinks. The King and Queen were invited to stay for the remainder of their lives.
Over the years the settlement included a monastery, a residence, church, school, hospital, and the gardens. It is one of the most well-preserved historical communities with original pieces and/or replicas of the area. The King loved to hunt and frequently invited landowners to come and join him on the properties surrounding Bebenhausen. Deer and boar can be seen throughout the entire palace. He must’ve had quite the personality too because there is a “dancing stuffed bear” on display, that was a noteworthy stop on our tour.
The Monastery
A few of my favorite rooms in the Kloster were the dining hall and the dormitory. The gardens were also a huge hit. The Cistercian Monks had taken over the Abbey here beginning in the late 1100’s, and the monastery became one of the wealthiest in the area. Most of the design is set in the Baroque and Renaissance style.
Noteworthy tips
Parking
The monastery has a parking with limited spaces. There is a nice free parking lot just outside of town with a picturesque and quick trail into the village. You’ll enjoy the stroll.
Dress Warm
I can imagine even in the Spring/Summer the halls of the buildings being quite cool. It was a warm day but by the end of our tour, our toes were quite chilly.
Hiking Trails
There are hiking trails all around Bebenhausen in which some lead to Tubingen and Dettenhausen. The trails are beautiful.
Schloss Tour
The Schloss tour is given in Deutsch, but you can print an English brochure on-line and carry it with you. Both tickets in this season (included the Monastery & Schloss) were 8 Euros.
SCHLOSS-CARD
If you are visiting Baden-Württemberg castles, monuments, and gardens this year, you can purchase a card in which you can visit 24 historical sites for 24 Euros (adults) and 12 Euros (children). This is a DEAL! Click here for details.
How to Get There
Bebenhausen is 2 hours and 20 minutes southeast of Kaiserslautern, 2 hours and 24 minutes south of Wiesbaden and just over 30 minutes south of Stuttgart.
Author’s Profile: Wendy is a military spouse and lives with her family in Stuttgart. She is a freelance writer, blogger and photographer. She also enjoys hiking, yoga and people.