Churches and abbeys – reminders of the past set in stone

Countless striking and beautiful churches and abbeys that represent every architectural style can be found throughout Germany. They include architectural gems such as Cologne Cathedral, designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Wieskirche Pilgrimage Church, abbeys in Andechs, Ettal and Weltenburg, and the 'heath churches'.

In the High Middle Ages, religious faith and the Church were central to the way people thought, and religion had a much greater influence than it does today. As they are nowadays, the priests and monks in the churches and monasteries were responsible for saving souls. The surviving convents and monasteries reveal much about the history of abbeys, provostships and monastic orders. Many of these abbeys and churches now offer a range of services and events for anyone who is interested, maintaining their traditional role as everyday meeting places for people of all ages.