On Saturday, we decided we would check out one of the Easter markets in the area. The weather wasn't great, so we found that one of the Easter markets took place inside. So, off we went to Maulbronn Monastery. Built in the 12th century, Maulbronn Monastery is the best preserved Cistercian monastery complex in Europe. In 1993, the monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The town itself was small and unassuming, until you reach the top of the hill and peer left into the monastery complex.
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| Close-up of the eggs from the fountain |
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| Half-timbered buildings |
After finding the gift shop, we purchased tickets to enter the monastery and audio guides in English. The tour wound us through the monastery, where we saw the beautiful Roman and Gothic architecture. As vegetarians, the Cistercians created canals from a series of over 20 fish ponds in to the monastery to feed the monks and laymen.
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| This statue was carved from a single piece of stone. The artist carved the stone to look like wood, and Jesus was painted. |
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The building with the three-bowl fountain is one of the most popular visual icons of Maulbronn Monastery. The monks used the Fountain House for cleaning, for ritual washing and for cutting their tonsures. The Fountain House received its fresh water from mountain springs to the north of the monastery. Only the lowest bowl is original.
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| Glüwein! We also tried Flammkuchen for the first time. It's a flat bread with onions (kind of like pizza). It was delicious! |
The Easter Market itself was inside the old barn of the original working monastery. Some of the eggs were absolutely breathtaking. There were eggs there priced over 1,000 Euro. Most of the tables didn't allow photos. There were Ostrich, Duck, Hen eggs, and so many other variations that I didn't recognize. As a cheapskate, I went home with four of the cheapest eggs I could find.
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| What a great time! |
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