In central Germany’s Aalbach Valley, there was a Benedictine abbey established around the eighth century. It reached its height in the 12th century and shut its doors in 1552 amid the wave of the Reformation. It reopened several times, and after it was shut again by secularization in 1802, the site was used as a farm and lodging facilities. From 1995, it lay empty.
The site reopened in 2002. Businesswoman Gertraud Gruber bought the property and handed it over to the spiritual leader Willigis Jäger, launching a meditation center named Benediktushof. Jäger, who taught Christian contemplative prayer together with Zen, died in 2020. Gruber followed in 2022. The current spiritual leaders are Alexander Poraj, Fernand Braun, and Maria Kolek Braun.
A Meditation Center That Doesn’t Ask About Religion
The center’s guiding principle is clear. It says that meditation and mindfulness are not tied to any culture or religion. Starting from the monastery buildings, it does not assume any members of a particular faith, and it teaches Christian contemplative prayer and Zen practice side by side in the same space.
The setup—placing the Eastern tradition of seated meditation and the Western monastery tradition of silence under one roof—is rare even in Europe. The center’s character comes from the way the methods coexist without pushing each other away: how you sit on a cushion and how you let go of the language of prayer and simply stay.
Cloister and Zen Garden, Maze Garden
On the grounds, the old monastery cloister remains, and a meditation hall has been set up alongside a Zen garden and a maze garden where people can calm their minds while walking. Between 2012 and 2013, the east wing was expanded to add more seminar space and lodging facilities.
There are also amenities for guests. Inside the grounds are a bistro called Troand where people gather in the evening, as well as a bookstore and café, and a farm sales shop.
What You Learn
The programs revolve around Zen practice, contemplative prayer, and mindfulness. On top of that, the center runs an MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program and yoga, as well as seminars on self-improvement and courses that address leadership and communication skills.
Forms vary from intensive training that keeps you in practice for several days—where conversation is also reduced during mealtimes and movement—to short programs organized by the weekend. An introductory track exists for people encountering meditation for the first time, and an advanced track is for those who have practiced for a long time, giving participants a structure to choose according to their experience level. Specific schedules, instructors, and participation fees are released every year through program guides.
The address is Klosterstraße 10, 97292 Holzkirchen/Unterfranken. It is located in the southern Franken region between Frankfurt and Würzburg.
If you travel by train, Würzburg’s main station is the departure point. From there, you transfer to a local bus; you can check routes and times on the Bayern transit guide (bayern-fahrplan.de). The center’s reception desk helps with individualized route guidance, and it also supports connecting participants with affiliated taxi companies.
By car, take the B8 road toward Marktheidenfeld after using the Helmstadt exit on the Autobahn A3. Then, if you turn left at the exit for the village of Uettingen, it is 4 km to Holzkirchen. For travelers heading to Frankfurt, take the Wertheim/Lengfurt exit on the A3. If you use the A7, switch onto the A3 at the Wibelieder junction, then take the Helmstadt exit. The center also operates a program that links carpools among participants during the registration process.
For inquiries, call 09369-9838-0 or email info@benediktushof-holzkirchen.de. The official website is available in German and English.
Time to Stay With Silence First
For people who visit this kind of center for the first time, the most unfamiliar aspect is the environment itself, where there is simply less talking. In training sessions that run for multiple days, it is common to reduce conversation not only during practice but also during meals and movement time. The center sets up conditions designed to prevent one person from disturbing another, and participants often say it takes a day or two to get used to it.
Most of the schedule is made up of sitting time and walking time, as well as meals and rest. That is also why the cloister, Zen garden, and maze garden are all on the grounds. The space is arranged so that between stretches of sitting, people move their bodies while keeping the same state of practice going.
A Branch of European Meditation Travel
Meditation travel destinations in Europe tend to lean toward wellness resorts centered on spas and hot springs. Benediktushof differs in tone and approach. Rather than marketing comfort as the product, it places time enduring silence at the front. It also preserves the monastery’s long-standing structure and brings seated meditation into that space.
If you have experienced temple stays in South Korea, this is a place that may feel familiar yet different. Instead of dawn services at a temple, there is the silence of the cloister. Instead of the wooden striking mallet used in a Zen hall, the language of contemplative prayer is set alongside it. For travelers who want to spend a few days quietly during their European itinerary, it is an option worth considering.
Things to Take Care of Before You Visit
Because reservations are made by course, you should first check the program schedule and then apply in that order. It’s also wise to confirm before applying whether lodging and meals are included in the course or settled separately.
If you are traveling around the European continent, a route starting from Frankfurt is a straightforward choice. Würzburg is also known as the starting point of the Romantic Road, so it is possible to tack on a day before or after the training to explore the city. If you are burdened by language, it is safest to ask in advance whether the programs are offered in English before you apply.
