Frauenalb Monastery Days

A Monastery Ruin as a Festival Backdrop

Few places in Baden-Württemberg combine a summer festival and history as closely as the Frauenalb monastery ruins in the Marxzell district of Schielberg. Founded in 1180 as a secular convent, the abbey became a ruin in 1853 after secularization and fire – and has served as a magical open-air stage since the 1980s. In 1986, the restored complex was ceremonially opened to the public; the first Monastery Days took place in the same summer and are now a highlight in the event series of the ARGE Schielberger Vereine.

Program in the Convent Garden

The festival takes place in the so-called Convent Garden – the former monastery garden, now a green oasis between the remaining wall remnants of the collegiate church. Performances by regional live bands, show dance groups, and programs for children are expected; the exact schedule is presented by the ARGE Schielberger Vereine in advance on the event calendar of the municipality of Marxzell. Classic elements include: a festival tent with catering, bratwurst from the grill, Baden and Swabian specialties, draft beer from regional breweries, and wine from the Albtal valley.

Arrival and the District of Schielberg

Schielberg is located on the western edge of the Black Forest, high above the Albtal valley – the municipality of Marxzell itself has just under 5,000 inhabitants and belongs to the Karlsruhe district. You can reach the monastery ruins via state road L 564 from Bad Herrenalb or Marxzell-Pfaffenrot; a hiking trail, the Klosterpfad (Monastery Path), connects the two monasteries Frauenalb and Herrenalb over about nine kilometers and is a real recommendation for arrival on foot in good weather.

Tradition with a Break and Comeback

After a multi-year break due to the pandemic and organizational reasons, the Monastery Days returned in 2023 with the 35th edition. Since then, the summer festival has been firmly established in the annual calendar and is one of the most important sources of income for the ARGE Schielberger Vereine – an umbrella organization of music clubs, sports clubs, the fire department, and the local heritage society, which supports the life of the Schielberg district.