Maulbronn is considered one of the most well-preserved medieval monastery complexes north of the Alps. The Cistercian architecture and cultural landscape remains almost pure: reasons why the monastery was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1993.
There are many unique features to discover at Maulbronn.
Unlike any other Cistercian monastery in Europe, the unique unity of the Maulbronn monastery complex remains preserved. The superb entirety continues to offer insights into the monks' spiritual and economic world to this day. The complex comprises the primary monastery buildings, the farmyard and its financial and management offices, the monastery wall and its gate tower and other fortification towers, as well as parts of the surrounding cultural landscape.
There are many unique features to discover at Maulbronn.
There are many architectural features at Maulbronn that stand out on a European scale. The church narthex (the Paradise), the south wing of the cloister and the monks' refectory are examples of the transition from late Romanesque to early Gothic and were therefore pivotal in the spread of the early Gothic style throughout Germany.
The UNESCO's 2018 list of cultural and natural world heritage sites includes 1092 sites across 167 states worldwide, of which 44 are in Germany. Criteria for being added to the list include the uniqueness and authenticity of a cultural site as well a strong preservation plan. In 1993, the world heritage committee decided that Maulbronn Monastery met these criteria and the monastery complex was added to the list.
A unique complex: Maulbronn Monastery has been a World Heritage Site since 1993.
