Visiting abbeys

Abbeys straddle heaven and earth: some are like hilltop fortresses, others surrounded by high walls. They are among the world's most awe-inspiring monuments, stone legacies from a long-lost era. Especially during the Middle Ages, abbeys fulfilled important functions, not only for their orders but for society in general: employment, estate administration, construction, scholarship, spiritual guidance - the abbey's role is still felt today. The monks were great pioneers in architecture and agriculture, clearing forests, draining marshland, creating ponds and installing water systems. Abbeys were also places of learning, science and the arts. Wherever monks settled, they always brought something with them and always left something behind. Although today abbeys might seem like museums, they convey a real sense of another world. Many abbeys have no monks or nuns in residence any more; instead they are stunning backdrops for all kinds of vibrant events and functions. Visiting these amazing historical buildings is always a wonderful experience.