Schönau offers several perspectives on its monastic history: the founding of the former abbey, its original remains marked beneath the road surface, and the town’s later development. A historical trail explores these themes at numbered stops; the Hühnerfautei Museum adds a cultural and historical focus.

The Abbey’s Founding and Traces in the Streetscape

In 1142, Cistercian monks founded a monastery in the secluded valley of the “beautiful meadow,” at the confluence of the Steinach and Greiner Bach rivers. The abbey was dissolved in 1558 during the Reformation. These two dates mark the beginning and end of the abbey in Schönau. In addition to the monastery complex, the historical trail covers the town’s development in later centuries, extending its scope beyond the period of the abbey’s founding.

In Schönau, large sandstone paving stones, clearly distinct from the surrounding surface, mark the original remains of the former monastery complex beneath the road. The paving makes the site of the former complex visible in today’s streetscape. This offers a different emphasis from the trail: here, the marked traces of the monastery are the focus, while the trail also explores the town’s later history.

Historical Trail and App on the Town’s History

The town of Schönau and the “Alt Schönau” association have created a historical trail. Its numbered stops offer insights into the former monastery complex and the town’s development in later centuries. The trail thus brings together two perspectives across time: the history of the monastery and later chapters in the town’s story.

According to the association, the free-to-download “Altstadtrundgang Schönau” app was developed for smartphones and tablets. It explains the history of the monastery complex in its present-day and original forms, and offers one tour for adults and another for children and young people. The trail and app have different focuses: the stops also cover the town’s development, while the app centers on the monastery complex.

Hühnerfautei Museum

The Hühnerfautei cultural and historical museum offers another way to explore Schönau’s history. According to the 2026 events calendar, it is open on Sundays from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. starting April 19, 2026, as well as during special events. Opening times may change, so check the details before your visit if you are making firm plans to visit the museum.

More Highlights in the Wider Rhein-Neckar-Kreis Destination

The wider Rhein-Neckar-Kreis destination offers further cultural and historical highlights in a range of locations. Schwetzingen Palace, once a residence of the prince-electors, features a Rococo theatre and a world-famous park. In Ladenburg, much of the historic town center still reflects the Middle Ages and, in places, Roman times; parts of the former town wall and defensive towers have been preserved in Wiesloch. These examples offer different attractions: palace and park alongside historic townscapes and the remains of fortifications.

There are also a variety of ways to enjoy outdoor activities. Eberbach has 150 kilometers of marked hiking trails. The annual “Ab in den Wald” program offers free guided forest walks and excursions throughout the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis. At Waidsee in Weinheim, areas are set aside for paddlers, sailors and windsurfers; at the bathing lake in St. Leon, water skiing and wakeboarding are available on a cable tow system. Asparagus has been grown in Schwetzingen for around 350 years. The Rhein-Neckar-Kreis offers everything from cultural history and hiking to water sports and regional cuisine, while Schönau has its own focus on the former monastery complex and the town’s development.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Heiligkreuzsteinach, Ladenburg, Eberbach, Bammental, Hilsbach, Gaiberg, Meckesheim, Waibstadt

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