Kloster Banz

“Kloster Banz” (Abbey Banz) is situated between Bad Staffelstein and Lichtenfels, high over the Main-valley on the “Banz Hill“. From there you get a great view of the whole Main-valley with its towns Lichtenfels and Bad Staffelstein, the Staffelberg and “Vierzehnheiligen” (Basilica of the fourteen saints).

History

Abbey Banz was a former Benedictine abbey, which was founded in 1069 by the Countess Alberada of Schweinfurt. After her death the abbey faced decline and closure until Bishop Otto of Bamberg arranged the abbey's renovation and reoccupation. In 1505 Abbey Banz burnt down to its foundations but was rebuilt during the 16th century. As a result of the counter-reformation, the abbey finally gained importance. Therefore, a totally new abbey complex was built in baroque style by Leonhard Dietzenhofer, which was inaugurated in 1719.

The Benedictine abbey was closed down in the period of secularization, and subsequently nearly the whole complex was destroyed. In 1814 the abbey was rescued by Duke Wilhelm of Bavaria, who purchased it and turned it into his new summer residence. The buildings that had been demolished were renewed and new ones were added. Many important guests came to Abbey Banz, Emperor Wilhelm and other rulers, academics and artists such as Viktor von Scheffel who was the composer of the “Frankenhymne” (Franconian song).

After the First World War, the Cistercian order leased the building, and it became an abbey again. In 1933, the missionary order of the Alliance of the Holy Angels purchased the abbey.

It was a military hospital during the Second World War. After the War, until 1964, it was used as an old people's home. In 1979 the Hanns-Seidel Foundation purchased the now decrepit abbey and restored it. On 22nd April 1983, Abbey Banz was opened as a centre of further education. Today Abbey Banz is a modern educational centre.

“Kloster Banz” with a view of the Main-valley and “Vierzehnheiligen”
(photo: Hanns-Seidel Stiftung)

Amusing education center

Abbey Banz includes a conference centre with modern conference equipment, a centre for practicing rhetorical skills and a radio as well as a media centre.

Twelve seminar rooms with a capacity of between 15-200 people are available. All in all there is room for about 1400 people. There are 133 bedrooms for up to 190 guests. Up to 200 people can be served in the dining-hall.

The emperor hall with up to 200 seats
(photo: Hanns-Seidel Stiftung)

Activities

Guided tours take place nearly every day and give you a better insight into the extraordinary history of Abbey Banz. The Banz museum exhibits fossils from the surrounding area and a collection of oriental art. You can also visit the near-by restaurant with its beer garden and its local Franconian cuisine.

Additional activities & events

For families with active children, there is the possibility of visiting the “Forest-climbing-garden“(Waldklettergarten), while the parents experience the special ambiance of Abbey Banz. The “Songs an einem Sommerabend” (a song-writer-festival) take place here every year. There one can listen to songs on a summer evening with German artists like Reinhard Mey, Konstantin Wecker, Hannes Wader. Thousands of people come from all over the country to take part in this event.

Sources:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloster_Banz
http://www.bad-staffelstein.de/de/tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/kloster-banz.php
http://www.lichtenfels-city.de/index.php?id=0,441
http://www.bad-staffelstein.de/de/tourismus/veranstaltungen/songs.php

text written and translated by Anthony Holmes, P-Seminar 10/12 “Werbung für Bad Staffelstein” am MGL