Kamp Abbey

Kamp Abbey (Kloster Kamp) in Kamp-Lintfort, in Germany's Lower Rhine region, was founded in 1123 as the first Cistercian monastery in the German-speaking world. Today it is best known for its spectacular Baroque terraced garden, which steps down from the abbey hill to a formal parterre of fountains, clipped yews, and flower beds. With its abbey church, treasury museum, and herb garden, it makes a rewarding half-day trip from Düsseldorf or Duisburg.

History

• 1123: the Archbishop of Cologne founded the abbey with monks from Morimond in Burgundy. Kamp went on to found many daughter houses.
• 1585/86: wars nearly destroyed the monastery.
• From 1683: the present abbey church was rebuilt in the plain Cistercian style, later crowned with curved Baroque tower caps.
• Around 1740: Abbot Franziskus Daniels laid out the terraced garden.
• 1802: the abbey was dissolved. Carmelite friars lived here from 1954 to 2002, and since 2003 it has been a spiritual and cultural center.

The Terraced Garden

Reconstructed in the 1980s from an 18th-century engraving, the garden is one of the highlights of the Lower Rhine's garden trail and was part of the 2020 State Garden Show. Nearby you will also find a historic flower and kitchen garden, a medicinal herb garden, a small vineyard, and a playground.

Opening Hours and Tickets

As of October 2026:

• Terraced garden: daily from 8 a.m. until dusk, free. Closed during snow or thunderstorms.
• Abbey church: daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., step-free access.
• Treasury museum: Tuesday to Saturday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays and holidays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission €3, families €6.50.
• Café and abbey shop: open every afternoon.

Guided tours can be booked through the abbey office. Ask in advance whether a tour in English is possible.

How to Get There

Kamp-Lintfort lies just west of Duisburg, next to the town of Moers, and Düsseldorf Airport is the closest major airport. By public transport, take a regional train to Moers and continue by local bus to the "Kloster Kamp" stop. The Deutschlandticket covers both. Drivers can use the large free "Parkplatz Terrassengarten" lot off the B510 and walk up through the grounds.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially from May to September, when the flower beds are in bloom. Garden lovers will rank it among the finest Baroque gardens in western Germany, and the combination of church, museum, and café easily fills two to three hours.