Benediktbeuern Abbey

About

Founded around 740, Benediktbeuern’s idyllic country setting exudes tranquility. Having suffered four serious fires, in 1248, 1377, 1378, and 1490, the abbey was prosperous enough to re-build each time, creating a unique blend of medieval, gothic, and baroque architecture. It was a successful research institution for centuries, focusing on the study of languages, music, mathematics and botany, with a library covering the span of higher education as it then existed. The Carmina Burana, a manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts, mostly from the 11th or 12th century, was found in the monastery in 1803. You’re probably familiar with ‘O Fortuna’, which has been used in countless movies and TV shows.