Maria Laach Abbey
Glees, Germany
A Romanesque Benedictine abbey church from the 12th century on the shore of the Laacher See, a volcanic crater lake. Paid car park by the abbey; a path circles the lake past bubbling gas vents.
Maria Laach Abbey lies on the south-western shore of the Laacher See. It was founded in 1093 by Count Palatine Heinrich II and his wife Adelheid as a priory of Affligem Abbey, and later became independent. The abbey church was built between 1093 and 1177, and the Paradise (porch) was added around 1225. It has six towers; Lonely Planet calls it one of the finest examples of a Romanesque church in Germany. The Lion Fountain of 1928 stands in the atrium, and the founder's tomb is in the west choir.
The Laacher See fills the caldera of a volcano that erupted some 13,000 years ago. The path round the lake is about 8 km long and passes places where carbon dioxide rises in bubbles. You can walk round the lake from the car park at the abbey; parking is charged. You can also get there by bus from Andernach.
- Nearest town
- Glees, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 50.4152, 7.2525
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Siesta CampingplatzCampsite3 km from Maria Laach AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- FalkleymühleCampsite10 km from Maria Laach AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping & Ferienpark Bürder "Zum stillen Winkel"Campsite17 km from Maria Laach AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Campingplatz "Am Ahrtor"Motorhome stopover18 km from Maria Laach AbbeyCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Ferieninsel Winningen an der MoselCampsite21 km from Maria Laach AbbeyTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Nürburgring Caravan ParkMotorhome stopover23 km from Maria Laach Abbey · 39 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Maria Laach Abbey?
Maria Laach Abbey is in Glees, Germany, at GPS 50.4152, 7.2525. It is about 18 km from Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.
Can you camp near Maria Laach Abbey?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Laacher See, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 66 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Maria Laach Abbey?
Maria Laach Abbey is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Eifel volcano country: Monschau to Maria Laach.
What is there to see near Maria Laach Abbey?
Places worth a stop nearby: Geysir Andernach (9 km), Nürburg Castle (23 km), Burg Eltz (24 km) and Drachenfels (28 km).
When is the best time to visit Maria Laach Abbey?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)