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The Maulbronn Monastery Complex is situated near Maulbronn, about 45 km of Stuttgart, in the southwestern part of Germany. The Cistercian monastery was founded in 1147. The Maulbronn Monastery is considered the most complete and best preserved medieval monastery north of the Alps. In the monastery the evolution of the Romanesque style into the Gothic style can clearly be seen. The Paradies is the colonnaded entrance hall into the lay brothers' church. The Paradies was built in 1220 and is a masterpiece of early Gothic architecture. The Fountain House of the monastery was built in the 13th century, it was supplied with fresh water from springs in the nearby mountains. The cloister is one of the most remarkable combinations of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Almost every vault of the Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery Complex is richly decorated. The Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery played an important role in the spread of the Gothic architectural style throughout Germany. The Maulbronn Monastery is located about 65 km south of the religious masterpiece and World Heritage Site Speyer Cathedral and about 92 km south of the World Heritage Site Abbey of Lorsch. The Maulbronn Monastery Complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1993.

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   The Maulbronn Monastery was founded in 1147. The Maulbronn Monastery is considered to be the most complete and the best preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps. The principal buildings were built between the 12th and 16th centuries. The doors of the main portal of the monastery church are the oldest dateable doors in Germany.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The courtyard and the water well in front of the Paradise, the imposing colonnaded entrance hall into the lay brothers' church. The Paradise is a masterpiece of Early Gothic architecture, it was built in 1220. The architect of the Paradise of the Maulbronn Monastery is unknown, he is referred to as the Master of the Paradise.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: Several half-timbered buildings inside the monastery grounds. Most of the monastery buildings date from the 12th century to the 16th century. The buildings of the monastey were protected by fortified walls and a gate tower. The 15th century gate tower was built in the Late Gothic style and is the main entrance to the Maulbronn Monastery.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The 13th century Fountain House or Well House was supplied with fresh water from mountain springs to the north of the monastery, the half-timbered upper part was constructed around 1611. The building was used by the monks for cleaning and ritual washings. A 150-year-old magnolia tree grows in the courtyard, next to the Fountain House.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The decorated vaulted ceiling of the church. The church was completed in 1178. A stone screen was separating the monks from the lay brothers, today, the stone screen is still there. The original wooden ceiling was replaced by this Gothic vault in 1424. The Maulbronn Monastery Complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The decorated vault of the monastery church. Almost every vault of the monastery is decorated with painted motifs and ornamental bricks. The monastery church has Romanesque arcades and a Gothic vaulting. The evolution of the Romanesque into the Gothic style is clearly visible in the cloisters of the Maulbronn Monastery.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The masterly decorated capitals of the Maulbronn Monastery. The Maulbronn Monastery is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture. The Cistercian monks created a unique monastery complex, they also cultivated the areas and the surrounding landscape of the monastery.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The parlatorium (conversation room) is richly decorated. The parlatorium was built in 1403. The room was used for socializing and conversation. The mural on the east wall depicts Mary and Child. The Maulbronn Monastery Complex gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1993.

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   Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The decorated vaulted ceiling of the parlatorium (conversation room). The parlatorium was the only room in the monastery where the monks were allowed to speak. Several parts of the Maulbronn Monastery Complex can be accessed freely, but the main monastery buildings, such as the cloisters and church, are only accessible by guided tour.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The vaults of the Chapter Hall are supported by columns, the capitals of the columns have notable decorations, the vaults are adorned with floral motifs. The Maulbronn Monastery Complex is a former cistercian abbey, situated between Heidelberg and Stuttgart on the Schwabische Dichterstrasse, a route along the towns of famous German poets.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The Men's Refectory was the dining room of the monks, it was completed around 1230. The two-naved refectory was probably built by the so-called Master of the Paradise. The Paradise, the south wing of the cloister and the refectory were built in the late stage of the Romanesque style, in which Early Gothic elements begin to appear.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The dormitory was the room where the monks slept. After the Protestant Reformation started in 1517, the Maulbronn Monastery was closed. The buildings were used as a school for classical languages, famous pupils were the astronomer Johannes Kepler, the poet and novelist Hermann Hesse and the poet and philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The Chapter Hall of the monastery was built between 1270 and 1300. The Maulbronn Monastery is one of the first building complexes in Europe, where Gothic style elements were used. One of the most important characteristics of the Gothic architecture is the pointed arch, this can be viewed, for example, at the windows of the Chapter Hall.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: The Weingartmeisterei houses the wine cellars. The monks supported themselves with artisanal handicrafts, agriculture and cattle breeding. Farming and wine growing were essential parts of the monastic life. The Cistercian monks built an imposing network of reservoirs and irrigation canals to provide water for the Maulbronn Monastery.

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    Maulbronn Monastery Complex: One of the towers of the medieval walls. The monastery is still surrounded by its fortified walls and towers, the walls were built in the 12th and 16th centuries. Above the main entrance gate are two sculpted rosettes. The Maulbronn Monastery Complex is a former Cistercian Abbey, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1993.