Ottobeuren - The Benedictine Abbey
"An Outstanding Baroque Edifice*"
Ottobeuren is a short trip by auto from Ulm or Augsburg - the train and bus are a bit longer, but worth the effort. It is difficult to put the magnificence of this building into words, and the many photos which exist do not really do it justice. One really needs to be in the space to fully appreciate the ornate paintings, the effect of the light streaming through the windows, the many, many cherubs to be seen everywhere in this church. While we were there, the organist was preparing a recital of Romantic French organ music, and this added to the wonderful feeling of peace and tranquility one gets while in this edifice. This is a wirking abbey with monks in residence, and one may worship with them as they say the Offices.
They have a wonderful coffee shop, gift shop with excellent music cds, and I even noticed bottles of Ottobeuren schnapps.

Cloisters
Benediktinerabtei Ottobeuren
Benediktinerabtei Ottobeuren
Benediktinerabtei Ottobeuren