Former Premonstratensian Abbey of Marchtal
No matter from which direction you arrive in Obermarchtal, the first thing that will catch your eye is the dominating monastery complex with its two towers. It is the only architecturally self-contained, completed and completely preserved baroque monastery complex in Upper Swabia. Rebuilt between 1686 and 1769, it contains many sights of the highest importance. Today it is owned by the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart and is primarily home to the school facilities of the Catholic Free School Foundation.
The imposing monastery church was built in 15 years (1686 - 1701) by Michael Thumb, Christian Thumb and Franz Beer. It was elevated to the status of a minster in 2001 and holds remarkable art treasures in store for visitors: early Baroque furnishings with white Wessobrunn stucco, numerous altars, the choir stalls by Paul Speisegger (1690), the organ by Johann Nepomuk Holzhey (1782 to 1784) and the sacristy with carved oak parament cabinets. The total ringing with 13 bells is the largest historical one in Baden-Württemberg.
