Between heaven and earth
Around Oberschönenfeld Monastery
Oberschönenfeld Monastery and the surrounding grounds are a highlight in the Augsburg region. In addition to the monastery and its church, this peaceful and green gem is home to various museums and a gallery. The nearby forest invites you to go on short hikes and there is also plenty on offer for children on the monastery grounds.
Monastery history
Founded in 1211, the monastery in Oberschönenfeld is probably the oldest continuously existing Cistercian abbey in Germany.
The abbey church, the convent building and the farm buildings were rebuilt in the 18th century. They form a unique, closed baroque building ensemble. The interior of the monastery church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful rococo interiors in Bavarian Swabia.
After the Cistercian nuns gave up farming at the end of 1971, the monastery grounds were restored by the district of Swabia and have been open to the public ever since.
Swabian Gallery
Opening hours:
Tue to Sun from 10 am - 5 pm, Mon: closed
Museum garden
As the abbey garden is not open to the public, the Oberschönenfeld Museum has created its own small model garden, divided into beds and bordered with boxwood, reminiscent of the monastery plan of St. Gallen. The main plants are medicinal herbs, aromatic herbs, flowers and perennials.
Monastery bakery
Opening hours:
Tue to Fri: 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Sat: 9.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. / Sun - Mon: closed
Monastery shop
Opening hours:
Tue to Sat: 09.30 - 17.00 / Sun: 10 - 17.00 / Mon: day off
Beergarden and Klosterstüble
Opening hours: Tue to Sun: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. / Mon: day off
Oberschönenfeld forest adventure trail
Length: 2,5 km
Duration: 1,5 h
Type: Cycle Path
Mediation path
The meditation trail leads from the Cistercian abbey to the Weiherhof and invites you to hike, meditate and switch off from everyday life. Twelve wooden steles with short words of inspiration connect the abbey church with the Maria Sieben Schmerzen chapel, which are also historically linked. The easy-to-walk path is three kilometres long and leads along the edge of the forest in the Schwarzach Valley.
Length: 3 km
Oberschönenfeld Cycle path
The ten-kilometre hike around Oberschönenfeld is a moderately easy hike in the forest area south of the Oberschönenfeld monastery in the Augsburg Western Forests Nature Park. The hiking trail offers plenty of nature and tranquillity.
Length: 10,4 km
Duration: 2,5 h
Inclusive playground Oberschönenfeld
Oberschönenfeld 7, 86459 Gessertshausen
A playground for ALL! The heartfelt project was implemented directly at the Oberschönenfeld Monastery excursion destination, where children with and without disabilities can play and have fun together.
The inclusive playground in Oberschönenfeld is truly for everyone. The award-winning barrier-free playground has a barrier-free water play area as well as various swings, a seesaw area, a balancing track, slides and even a table tennis table. There is something for everyone here.
Many seating options and seating groups with tables invite you to rest and picnic. Everyone should have the opportunity to be active, have fun and play on a variety of equipment.
A little tip: Not far from the playground, fallow deer and roe deer can be fed in a fenced-off area.
Animal experience
Wildhof Albrecht
Adress: Oberschönenfeld 7, 86459 Gessertshausen
Monastery pond
Barbecue area
The covered barbecue area with benches and tables is located in the forest near Oberschönenfeld and has a beautiful view of the pond. If you like, you can buy the delicious wood-fired bread in the monastery bakery. The best place to park is in the hikers' car park. Sanitary facilities can be found at the monastery itself.
Please note: You must register for the barbecue with the Zusmarshausen forestry company by calling: +49 8291 8584115
