12 of 12 in November: In the footsteps of the Staufer - Lorch Abbey and Schwäbisch Gmünd

Updated on November 13, 2025 by Angelika Klein

15 degrees and sunshine today inspired me to take a trip to the Stauferland, between Göppingen and Schwäbisch Gmünd - an area full of history, where the most powerful dynasty in southern Germany once had its roots. Its most famous representatives were Frederick I Barbarossa, Henry IV and Frederick II. Lorch Monastery, which is picturesquely situated on a ridge above the Rems valley, and ended in Schwäbisch Gmünd, the oldest Staufer city.

On the Limes - the reconstructed Roman watchtower near Lorch

Even before I entered the monastery grounds, I stopped at the reconstructed Roman watchtower, which stands right next to the parking lot. This is where the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, who today is UNESCO World Heritage sites belongs to. The tower and a section of palisade fence were rebuilt in 1996 according to archaeological models and give a vivid impression of what Roman border security looked like - it is fascinating to imagine that Roman soldiers patrolled here almost 2000 years ago.
👉 More about the Upper German-Rhaetian Limes you can find out in my article about the UNESCO World Heritage in Germany,.

Entrance to the Staufer falconry at Lorch Monastery

Right by the parking lot you come across the Staufer falconry, whose entrance already arouses curiosity. However, the screenings only take place Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays so on the day I visited, the eyrie was quiet. However, there are air shows at weekends and on public holidays, which are a real highlight, especially for families.

The abbey - a half-timbered jewel from the 16th century

I was impressed by the representative Half-timbered house of the abbey, which was built between 1525 and 1546. This gem now houses a nursing home.

Luther oak, fountain and monastery church

The ornate fountain was made in 1779 by the ducal foundry in Königsbronn. It bears the coat of arms of the Duchy of Württemberg. The letters CHZW stand for „Carl Herzog zu Württemberg“. The branches at the top of the picture belong to the Luther oak, which was planted here in 1883 to mark the 400th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth.

Monastery church with Marsilius Tower

The Monastery church is the heart of the complex. From the outside, it appears simple and fortified, but its Romanesque proportions and the mighty Marsilius Tower testify to the importance of the place. The monastery was built around 1100 from the Hohenstaufen dynasty as House monastery and burial place a spiritual and dynastic center of the family.
👉 You can find out more about Lorch Monastery in my Article about the highlights of the Swabian Alb.

The Staufer-Tumba

In the central nave is the Staufer-Tumba, which is often thought to be an individual grave - in fact, it is a collective grave of all the Hohenstaufen monks buried in the monastery church. 1475 left Abbot Nikolaus Schenk von Arberg open the existing Staufer tombs and the the remains inside under the tumba bury.

View of the Rems Valley from the Marsilius Tower

A narrow spiral staircase takes you up to the Marsilius Tower - and is rewarded with a sweeping view over the Rems Valley rewarded. A place to take a deep breath and enjoy.

The herb garden of the monastery

At the end of my tour, I strolled through the Herb garden, which is lovingly tended and reminiscent of the centuries-old tradition of monastic medicine. Sage, thyme and rosemary still thrive even in late fall.

Market square in Schwäbisch Gmünd

After visiting the monastery, I drove on to Schwäbisch Gmünd, the oldest Staufer city of all. Your Market Square is considered one of the largest and most beautiful in southern Germany: spacious, lined with magnificent half-timbered and baroque houses and in the middle of the Marienbrunnen, which glistened in the sunlight.

St. John's Church

On the market square rises the St. John's Church, one of the oldest hall churches in Württemberg. The tower in particular is an eye-catcher, with its Welsh dome - and from there you have a beautiful panorama over the alleyways of the old town. As I've already climbed the Marsilius Tower in the monastery, I'll spare myself the second ascent.

Lion Fountain and Holy Cross Minster

Another highlight is the Lion Fountain with a view of the monumental Holy Cross Minster, the largest church building in the city. It is considered the first large hall church in southern Germany - and as the cradle of a dynasty of master builders who shaped the Gothic style of Europe: Heinrich Parler the Elder, a native of Schwäbisch Gmünd, was significantly involved in the construction here. From this building site, the fame of the Parler family far beyond the region. Its members later created masterpieces such as the St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge in Prague, St. Sebaldus in Nuremberg, the City Hall in Krakow and the Minster in Freiburg, Ulm and Basel. A remarkable legacy that began in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

The Romanesque bell tower

The Romanesque bell tower next to the cathedral is an unusual eye-catcher - it was originally built in 1227/28 and was the residential tower of a citizen of Gmünd. After both towers of the Holy Cross Minster collapsed on Good Friday night in 1497, the building was converted into a bell tower between 1502 and 1505.

Conclusion

My trip to the Stauferland was a short journey through time between the Roman Limes, medieval monastery life and the historic old town. Lorch Abbey fascinated me with its tranquillity and sweeping views over the Rems Valley. And Schwäbisch Gmünd? A charming mix of history and southern flair - exactly the kind of town where you spontaneously drink one more cappuccino than planned. I had to skip Wäscherschloss and Hohenstaufen - but that only makes me look forward to my next visit even more.