A Benedictine convent on the Rhine where medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen established a spiritual community, now restored and active in music, wine-making, and sacred song.
At a glance
Eibingen Abbey (Abtei St. Hildegard) is a working Benedictine community in the Rhine Gorge near Rüdesheim. The nuns sing daily services, produce wine and handcrafted goods, and welcome visitors to their restored church, which doubles as a concert venue.
History
Hildegard of Bingen founded the abbey in 1165 as a daughter house to her own convent at Disibodenberg. The community flourished through the medieval period but was dissolved during the Napoleonic reorganization of German territories in 1804. After nearly a century of dormancy, the abbey was restored and rebuilt in 1904, reviving the Benedictine tradition on its original site.
What you see
The abbey buildings date largely from the early twentieth-century restoration, combining modern construction with period sensitivity. The church serves as the spiritual center and hosts concerts alongside regular liturgical services, creating a dialogue between sacred and secular music.
Cultural significance
Hildegard of Bingen remains one of medieval Europe’s most remarkable figures—a composer, mystic, polymath, and abbess whose writings on theology, medicine, and nature influenced her era profoundly. Eibingen Abbey preserves her legacy as a living monastic community. The nuns’ recorded services have reached international audiences, and their wine production continues a centuries-old Benedictine tradition of self-sufficiency and craft.
Key facts
- Country: Germany
- City: Rüdesheim am Rhein, Hesse
- Coordinates: 49.9925, 7.9281
- Founded: 1165 by Hildegard of Bingen
- Dissolved: 1804; restored 1904
- UNESCO: Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site
- Current use: Active Benedictine convent, wine production, concerts
Practical information & getting there
The abbey is located in Eibingen, a village near Rüdesheim am Rhein in the Rheingau wine region. Regular services and seasonal concerts are open to visitors. The nuns’ wines and handmade crafts are available for purchase. For current visiting hours, service times, and concert schedules, contact the abbey directly or consult its website.
Sources & resources
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