Lorsch Abbey

Lorsch Abbey in Hesse was founded around 764 as a Benedictine abbey; its founders were Counts Cancor and Williswinth of the Robertian family. It remained an important centre of power and culture until the High Middle Ages and had one of the most important libraries of its time. Among the works produced here were the Lorsch Gospels and the Lorsch Pharmacopoeia, around 800; the Lorsch Codex, a cartulary, was compiled in the 12th century. Lorsch has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

The abbey complex was largely destroyed in 1621 during the Thirty Years' War. What survived is the Königshalle (King's Hall) from the Carolingian period (around 800 to the 9th century), one of the few completely preserved Carolingian buildings in Germany. On the grounds you can also see church fragments, monastery walls, a herb garden based on the Pharmacopoeia and a museum centre. There is also an open-air archaeological laboratory. About one to two hours is enough for a visit.