Schöntal lies in the Jagst Valley in Hohenlohe and combines striking monastic architecture with a landscape of valley, forests, meadows and fields. The monastery church and the New Abbey tell the story of a major building phase in the 18th century; Neusaß points to the origins of the monastery. Other attractions include the Holy Sepulchre Chapel on Kreuzberg and further ways to experience the surrounding area. You can tailor your stay to different interests: architectural history, a short uphill walk or views of the Jagst Valley.
Schöntal Monastery: Architectural History and Distinctive Forms
The monastery church was built between 1708 and 1736 as a tall, bright, cruciform hall and consecrated in 1736. Its imposing Baroque twin-tower façade is a defining feature of the church. The New Abbey was built afterwards, from 1737 to 1749; one of its distinctive architectural features is a richly decorated staircase. The New Abbey is also home to the tomb of the knight Götz von Berlichingen. The church and abbey thus offer two concrete points of reference for the monastery’s architectural history, complemented by the tomb associated with a named historical figure.
The Holy Sepulchre Chapel on Kreuzberg offers a striking contrast in form: it was built between 1716 and 1720 as a slender octagon. It was designed by Balthasar Neumann and built by Bernhard Schießer. Its octagonal shape differs from the cruciform plan of the monastery church. Visitors with a particular interest in architecture can therefore explore two different building forms and their dates of construction, rather than viewing the buildings simply as similar stops along the way.
Paths, Garden and Swimming
A footpath about 300 metres long leads uphill to the Holy Sepulchre Chapel; from there, you can enjoy views across the valley. The route is short but uphill. Check the conditions on the path before planning your ascent. The convent garden at Schöntal Monastery is a place to relax, stroll and spend time. There is a children’s playground in the Kreuzgarten. If the garden or playground is important to your plans, you can check the current conditions before visiting.
At the weir in Schöntal Monastery, there is an unsupervised place to swim in the flowing Jagst. The water is not sampled or monitored. Therefore, check the current conditions on site before swimming. If you would prefer to pair your visit with views of a castle, Schloss Aschhausen offers a different focus: it rises above the Erlenbach Valley, a side valley of the Jagst, and is privately owned by the Zeppelin-Aschhausen family. The castle was built in the 17th or 18th century. Visits are arranged by phone on 07943 2358; confirm whether visits are currently possible in advance.
Neusaß and the Origins of the Monastery
Neusaß lies above Schöntal Monastery, among forests, meadows and fields. It is considered the original site of Schöntal Monastery. Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa confirmed the monastery’s foundation in a charter of protection in 1157. This provides a different point of reference in time from the monastery church and New Abbey, which were built later: Neusaß represents the monastery’s early history, while the buildings at Schöntal Monastery illustrate 18th-century architecture. The landscape also offers a different perspective: the Jagst shapes the setting in the valley, while Neusaß lies above it among open land and woodland.
More Places to Visit in Hohenlohe District
If you look beyond Schöntal to the wider Hohenlohe district, you will find other themes to consider when planning a trip. The district has numerous cycling routes, and the Hohenlohe Hills are framed by the deeply incised valleys of the Kocher, Jagst and Ohrn rivers. The Kocher-Jagst Cycle Route passes through Krautheim. These regional cycling opportunities offer a separate perspective on the Hohenlohe district and should not be confused with the local attractions in Schöntal. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Limes also runs in a straight line through the Hohenlohe district; three Limes viewing platforms offer sweeping views across the landscape. This allows you to distinguish between monastic history in Schöntal and other regional cultural and landscape themes when planning a trip to the Hohenlohe district.
Discover more destinations: Sindringen, Neuenstein, Weißbach, Zweiflingen, Krautheim, Waldenburg, Kupferzell, Ingelfingen.
For the broader travel overview: Hohenlohe.
