Arnstein Monastery

Arnstein Monastery is enthroned in a dreamlike location high above the Lahn River. Both the view from above into the Lahn valley and from the river onto the monastery are unique. A monastery store is open daily. The history of the monastery dates back to the second half of the 11th century: in 1052, an Arnstein castle on the Lahn is first mentioned as the seat of the Count of Arnstein. It is the oldest mention of a castle on this river, of which only remains of walls have been preserved, which do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the appearance of the complex. In 1139, Louis III, the last Count of Arnstein, converted his castle into a Premonstratensian monastery and entered it himself. His wife lived as a cloistered nun near the monastery until her death. In the same year the partial demolition of the castle began. In 1145, King Conrad III confirmed the abbey as an imperial monastery. Since 1236, there was also a branch monastery under the patronage of the Nassau count or princely house, the Keppel near Hilchenbach. The monastery church was completed in 1360. The architectural style is Staufer Romanesque, which is also called Rhenish transitional style. The choir is already fully in the early Gothic style. The church contains individual components that can be dated to the 12th century.

Monastery store Opening hours: Summer: daily 11-16:30, winter: Tuesday-Friday 12-13 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Divine services: Daily 5 p.m. Orthodox service in the monastery chapel, regular Catholic services in the sanctuary. Info 02604-943479