The preserved interior of the basilica reflects the last cultural peak of the town and the monastery: in the eighteenth century a great deal of construction activity took place around the church and many fine art objects were acquired for its interior. Even after the secularisation of the abbey in 1803, the craftsmanship that was put into the wrought-iron choir grid, the altars and the pulpit still conveys an impression of the local taste and aesthetic sense of the monks of Seligenstadt.

Along the monastery walls and past the sandstone archangel made by Burkhard Zamel, sculptor at the court in Mainz, we approach the main entrance of the Benedictine abbey at Freihof Square. It was here, where the spiritual and secular life of Seligenstadt met, that the citizens erected their first public school , an impressive half-timbered building, in 1715. What is known as the ‘Klosterstadt’ - the abbey town - behind

the abbey gates with its gardens, farms, cellars, wells and sculptures, monks' cells and state apartments is a classic example of baroque monastic architecture. The efforts of historical cultural research and energetic commitment on the part of its citizens combined to put life into this ensemble of monastery buildings and create an impression of the day-to-day management of a monastery.

The grinding plant of the abbey's mill, made in 1574, has been restored. The dovecote, beehive and sheepfold reflect the economic aspects of monastic life. The ‘Prelate's Building’ completed in 1699, the guest house, the building for important guests and the abbot's wing convey something of the baroque lifestyle. Through the ‘Alte Abtei’ (‘Old Abbey’) gate, we enter the monastery garden and leave the ‘Kellerhöfchen’ with entrances to the abbey's wine cellars. With the help of gardeners' notes

dating back to 1746, the ornamental and vegetable garden has been gradually restored to its baroque splendour - with fountains and terraces, sheep and cabbage, lavender and strawberries. Not forgetting the orangery, where oranges, lemons, figs and pineapples are grown.

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