Art and Culinary Arts Abbey Tholey

Art and Enjoyment in the Sankt Wendel District

The Art and Culinary Arts Abbey Tholey format is a new, but already highly successful cultural offering from the municipality of Tholey in the Sankt Wendel district. The first event was so quickly booked out that the municipality had to schedule follow-up dates immediately. Even for 2026, the planned events are already fully booked weeks in advance — underscoring the high demand.

What Makes the Day Special

The meeting point is at 3:00 PM in the Tholey Tourist Information office. Tourism manager Josef Thiry will provide an overview of current exhibitions and Tholey's cultural life. At 3:15 PM, the tour of the abbey garden and the Benedictine Abbey of St. Mauritius begins. The tour lasts about two hours and includes the altar area.

Gerhard Richter in Tholey

The artistic heart of this format is the church windows by Gerhard Richter, arguably the most famous living German painter. Richter donated three abstract windows to the Abbey, which have been installed in the choir of the Abbey Church since 2020. They are complemented by 34 figurative windows by the Afghan-German artist Mahbuba Maqsoodi. The combination — Richter's strict abstraction and Maqsoodi's biblical imagery — is one of the most significant church art ensembles in Germany in recent decades.

Culinary Part at Hubertus

After the abbey visit, guests return to the Tourist Information for a film screening and wine tasting. The evening concludes from 5:30 PM with a three-course meal at Hotel Hubertus — prepared by Josef Hubertus, a former Michelin-starred chef. Vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options can be requested in advance.

Saarland and Sankt Wendel

Tholey is located on the Schaumberg, the highest mountain in Saarland, in the northern Sankt Wendel district. The Benedictine Abbey was founded in the 7th century and is the oldest monastic foundation in Germany. It is inhabited again today by a community of monks and is a regular destination for art-interested travelers from all over Europe — especially because of the Richter windows.

Who Should Attend

Anyone who appreciates art history, sacred architecture, and fine dining and wants to spend a quiet Saturday afternoon in the Schaumberg region should try to secure a spot very early. The dates are regularly fully booked.