Tholey Abbey of St Maurice

On 30 December 634 a Frankish nobleman named Adalgisel Grimo drew up his will, bequeathing his property in Tholey along with a church he had built there. The document is considered the oldest surviving charter of the Rhineland and makes St Maurice's Abbey in Tholey one of the oldest monasteries on German soil. Today, though, many visitors come for something very new: since 2020 three windows by Gerhard Richter, one of the best-known living artists, have glowed in the choir of the Gothic abbey church.

History: 1,400 years at the foot of the Schaumberg

The monastery stands on the ruins of a Roman bath complex. A community of clergy probably formed here in the 7th century, and legend says St Wendelin was its first abbot. Benedictine life likely began around the middle of the 8th century. In 1066 the murdered Archbishop Kuno of Trier was buried in Tholey, and his grave drew pilgrims for centuries.

Today's abbey church dates from the 13th century and is among the oldest Gothic churches in Germany. Its patron is St Maurice. The abbey went through golden ages and declines, reforms and wars. In 2008 it was on the brink of financial ruin. Selling about 80 hectares of land to the municipality, a supporters' association, sponsors and public funding helped it recover. The church was restored between 2018 and 2021, and in 2019 eleven monks lived in the abbey.

What to see

• The Richter windows: Three windows in the choir, each 1.95 m wide and 9.30 m tall. Each shows five motifs repeated in mirror image: colourful, playful patterns that Richter developed from his artist's book “Patterns” by dividing and mirroring.
• The Maqsoodi windows: The German-Afghan artist Mahbuba Elham Maqsoodi won the anonymous competition and created 29 windows with themes from the Old and New Testaments. She first trained in Persian miniature painting in Afghanistan.
• The church interior: The early Gothic structure of the 13th century has come through Baroque alterations and several restorations largely intact.
• The monastery garden: Next to the church lies the monks' garden, which is open to visitors.

Good to know

The Richter windows replaced windows from the 1960s designed by Tholey monk Bonifazius Robert Köck. Because the old glass was in poor condition, the community launched an international art competition. The abbey's motto today is “fides cum benignitate”, faith with kindness. The monks also run a guest house and an inn.

Opening hours (as of October 2026)

Abbey church:

• Monday to Saturday 10:00–12:00 and 12:30–17:00
• Sundays and public holidays 11:15–12:00 and 12:30–17:00
• No sightseeing during prayer times, although visitors are welcome to join the services. Midday prayer starts at 12:00, vespers at 17:30.

Monastery garden: Monday and Wednesday to Sunday plus public holidays 10:00–17:00, closed on Tuesdays.

Tours of the abbey and church are arranged by the Tholey tourist information office at Römerallee 5, open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. It also sells a guidebook to the windows.

Visiting and getting there

Allow one to one and a half hours for the church, windows and garden. Try to come on a bright day, when the colours of the windows show best. Park in the car parks on Sportstraße and Römerallee in the village centre; the street “Im Kloster” is closed and cannot be used for access. The Schaumberg rises above the village and gives a wide view over the abbey and the surrounding countryside.