Kloster Wiblingen, Ulm

Beware, the church is always open while for the famous library inquire about summer and winter schedules because they are limited, both on days and times.

The monastery in the Wiblingen district of Ulm is known beyond the city limits for its library hall. We took the opportunity to take part in a guided tour. The library hall in the north wing of the monastery was built between 1740 and 1750. It stretches over 2 floors and is a masterpiece of rococo. The inscription above the portal promises that "all the treasures of wisdom and science" are united here. Long rows of windows provide plenty of light. The colourful columns give the impression that this is marble. For static reasons, however, they are made of wood. The colourful columns give the impression that this is marble. For static reasons, however, they are made of wood. This can be seen in the last pillar, as a piece was demonstratively taken out here. The bookcases are sorted by subject area. Before that are life-size white-golden figures representing time, asceticism, natural sciences, justice and Christian doctrine. The beautiful ceiling fresco was created by the Weißenhorn painter Franz Martin Kuen. In its heyday, the library comprised about 15,000 volumes. The valuable books are now in the Stuttgart State Library. The library hall also served as a representative reception room for noble guests. Interesting are the hidden entrances to the gallery. According to the narrative, the unrecognizable revolving door moves silently, so that the walls had ears here too... The monastery also includes the monastery church of St. Martin. It is a popular wedding church, but also a well-known pilgrimage church. The wooden particles of the Holy Cross relic, which are said to have come from the Cross of Christ, were a gift from the two founders, the Counts of Kirchberg. The two towers of the monastery church were never completed and the construction therefore seems a bit truty. Inside, the monastery church features beautiful ceiling frescoes. The church room is bright, with white walls and columns as well as golden ornaments. It is designed in the transition from late Baroque to early Classicism. In the monastery you can see a Lego model of the monastery complex, which would have looked like it with finished towers! The monastery of Wiblingen is an impressive gem of the zweiland town!