When we visited the Basilica of St. Castor in Koblenz, Germany, that weekend following America's Thanksgiving (last post), I didn't think it could get any better...until the next day when we drove 32 km NW to see the Maria Laach Benedictine Abbey, situated on the shore of the Laacher See near Andernach.
As I said on Facebook, this is when I know for sure I was an architect in a past life...or maybe a monk???
I'll tell you from the outset that the outside is what is most impressive about this abbey.
Construction began in 1093 until 1220 when it became the home of the Benedictines.
Our DK travel book said the outside columns had interesting capitals,
so we started there, before entering the abbey.
The book also mentioned the lion fountain in the atrium, made in 1928,
and visible near the abbey entrance.
You could say we saw a lot before even entering!
Once inside, we saw how "basic" this holy place is...
like a perfect place for monks?
The canopy above the high altar, from 1220-50, is probably the most impressive "work" of it all.
Mosaics. Statues. Icons.
All a reminder that this is a Roman Catholic monastic community.
The one tomb visible to all is that of Heinrich II, who ordered the abbey to be built in 1093
and who died in 1095, just 2 years later, and is buried there.
He never saw the completed masterpiece.
He never saw the completed masterpiece.
It was the crypt beneath that felt like the holy of holies to us both.
I could worship there.
We had hoped to hear Gregorian chants, as the book mentioned we might,
but not that day or at that time. Only in our hearts.
Once back outside, in the abbey's courtyard, we had closer views of this incredible structure.
One has the feeling a lot of supplication is raised to the heavens around that place.
And then we walked across the road to the wee cemetery.
We were there at the right time, when this monk unlocked the gate for the day.
We watched him give his blessing on who-knows-whom...his BFF?
I came up with my own stories that day.
I repeat...I know for sure I was an architect in a past life...or maybe a monk???
I repeat...I know for sure I was an architect in a past life...or maybe a monk???
And that was just the first part of the day!
From there we drove back to Koblenz to see the Stolzenfels Castle.
But that's another post...not to be mixed in with this holy place.
