Himmerod Abbey

Himmerod Abbey stands in the Salm valley within the Eifel hills, near the village of Großlittgen. Founded in 1135 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, it was the first Cistercian house in the region. The original Romanesque church was completed in 1178, and the abbey later expanded its vineyards and lands. After secularisation in 1802 the buildings fell into ruin. In 1922 German monks from Bosnia refounded the monastery, rebuilding the church and installing a Johannes Klais organ completed in 1962. The abbey is recognised for its role in post-war German re-armament. From 5 to 9 October 1950 Wehrmacht officers met here to draft the Himmerod memorandum, a key step toward the 1955 creation of the Bundeswehr. The last abbot, Johannes, oversaw the community until its dissolution in October 2017. The property now belongs to the Diocese of Trier and continues as a spiritual centre. Visitors find a café, bookshop and art shop beside the monastery. The Old Mill houses a museum of Cistercian history, enamel art and mill equipment. A plant nursery and leased fishery operate on the grounds. The abbey shop sells local produce including mustard, honey and its strong Abbey beer. A hostel run by the support association offers accommodation, and the publishing house Himmerod Drucke continues to issue works by monks.