Bavaria is home to many well-known monasteries that captivate visitors with their architecture (and often their beer as well). A special Baroque gem is the Benedictine Abbey of Metten, which boasts not only a magnificent church but also an impressive library. But Metten Abbey isn’t just visually striking—the complex also has a fascinating history and played a pivotal role in the secularization of Bavaria.
A 1,260-Year History
Metten Abbey was founded in 766 in the Degendorf district and is considered one of Bavaria’s oldest abbeys. Charlemagne, then still King of the Franks, placed the abbey under his protection and granted it immunity. Over time, the abbey’s exterior underwent several changes and it was expanded on multiple occasions. After the Reformation , it underwent a Baroque renovation that continues to shape its exterior appearance to this day. Particularly striking is the monastery church with its domed structure, flanked by two onion-domed towers. The interior of the church is adorned with detailed frescoes and stucco work, and a painting by Cosmas Damian Asam adorns the altar.
Eventually, at the beginning of the 19th century, secularization took place in Bavaria, and it did not spare Metten Abbey. The abbey was dissolved, and most of its properties were auctioned off. However, when King Ludwig I decided in 1830 to revive monastic life in Bavaria, Metten was the first site where monks once again took up residence. It thus became the starting point for the revival of monastic culture. Incidentally, this also led to the establishment of St. Boniface Abbey in Munich, where Ludwig and his wife Therese found their final resting place.
The Library at Metten Abbey
Over the centuries, Metten Abbey developed into a center of learning and still houses a high school where the monks teach. There used to be a boarding school as well, but it was closed in 2017. The Baroque monastery library at Metten, however, is particularly well-known. It was built alongside the monastery church in the 18th century, which is why the same people were involved in its design. As a result, the library is also adorned with ornate frescoes, and the ceiling painting features numerous intricate details.
Almost the entire original collection of the library fell victim to secularization. Nevertheless, an extensive collection has since been rebuilt, comprising around 300,000 volumes. This makes Metten one of the largest monastery libraries in Bavaria. During a guided tour, you can admire this showpiece for yourself and learn more about the library. These tours take place Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and on Sundays at 3 p.m. Afterward, you can shop at the monastery garden center while your children enjoy playing with the goats at the petting zoo. And a visit to the on-site café is the perfect way to end the day.
📍 Location: Abteistr. 3, 94526 Metten
🕐 Library tour times: Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
💶 Price information: Adults €5, Children €4
