Well-known by its monastery
Even though Maulbronn is a place settled since the times of the Romans, it achieved fame only when the monastery carrying its name, Kloster Maulbronn, became the economic, social and political centre of the County named after river Enz.
Since 1556 the former monastery founded by the Cistercian Order harbours a protestant monastery school (Klosterschule) which can name the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler, the well-known German poet Friedrich Hölderlin and also Literature Nobel Prize Laureate Hermann Hesse (Steppenwolf) amongst its pupils.
Kloster Maulbronn is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage since 1993. The monastery complex with its stately buildings, some of them constructed as half-timbered houses, others from local quarry stone, includes several fish ponds as well as its own vineyards which, centuries after they were founded, still produce wines named amongst the finest made all over Europe.
If you are interested in feeling the atmosphere of Maulbronn Monastery you might consider reading Hermann Hesse´s novels “Narcissus and Goldmund” (also published as “Death and the Lover”) and “Beneath the Wheel” (also published as “The Prodigy”) which might be taken as literary monuments to Maulbronn.
Leaving the lofty heights of literature to come back to the aspects of daily life on earth, one might mention a story explaining the invention of one of the famous dishes of the region of Swabia, the “Maultasche”, a kind of German ravioli, i.e. two layers of egg pasta dough filled with a mixture of minced meat and herbs. This is what happened according to the legend:
A couple of clever monks from Maulbronn Monastery had been presented with meat during the Lenten season. Since they simply couldn´t stand to leave the meat to spoil they decided to mince it, mix it with herbs and hide it in the layers of egg pasta dough, believing that “our good Lord in heaven” wouldn´t notice the trick they played him, eating meat during the Lenten season. It is believed that “our good Lord in heaven” observed the proceedings with a wink of his eye. However, the Swabian “ravioli” proved to be a culinary success, and are said to be named after Maulbronn Monastery as “Maul-taschen” (literary “mouth bags”).
Be that as it may – we recommend you try Maultaschen which are very tasty, and not only through Lent.
For further information: http://www.maulbronn.de/index.php?id=321
Photo: Christopher Kubaseck
