P R E S S E M I T T E I L U

Hometown Dynamics Waldsassen Abbey: new life in historic walls A Baroque church with a magnificent garden – from the outside, Waldsassen Abbey looks like a typical convent. Look behind the facade, however, and you will discover a modern, cosmopolitan abbey. Since Abbess M. Laetitia Fech has been in charge, the abbey has been attracting lots of visitors on a daily basis. With creative ideas and plenty of courage, she has breathed new life into the abbey – thus preserving a long tradition. The ups and downs of the abbey For more than 1,000 years, abbeys have been a hallmark of Bavaria’s landscape. Many were also the economic heart of entire regions – as is the case in Waldsassen. The hundredth abbey of the Cistercian order was founded in 1133 and was a male- only monastery until 1803. Rich, prosperous and influential, it grew over the years: the magnificent basilica was built in 1704, followed some ten years later by the world- famous library. In 1864, the monastery became a nunnery and shortly after that a girls’ school was established there. “The foundation was the economic driver of the local area and continues to fulfil that role in many ways today,” says the Abbess. Yet some time ago it began to lose its sheen – at an economic, structural and personal level. Cracks were appearing in the old walls and there was not enough money to maintain them. The abbey was in danger of ruin – and then Sister Laetitia became Abbess. That marked a turning point. From Sister to Abbess When Abbess M. Laetitia Fech moved to Waldsessen from Lichtenthal Abbey in Baden-Baden as a young nun, she wanted to support the abbey with her skills as a parament embroiderer. She assumed that she would be able to continue to produce these elaborate church vestments. However, fate took her in a different direction: When in 1995 the fourth Abbess was due to be chosen for Waldsassen Abbey, she was astonished to be selected by the other Sisters. After a period of contemplation, she accepted the role and set out a plan to help the Abbey. “At times it was very tough,” recalls the 60-year-old Abbess. “Without my belief in God I probably would not have managed it.” Thanks to her firm faith and many helping hands, the Abbey has been given a new lease of life – and has once again become a magnet for visitors and locals alike. Waldsassen Abbey: a place of spirituality The young Abbess began by arranging the general restoration of the historic walls. Many rooms in the protected building were empty. “We wanted to fill them,” explains the Abbess. She commissioned a study from the Institute for Development Planning and Structural Research. The topic: “What could be done in the Cistercian - 1 - Waldsassen Abbey that would take it into the future while ensuring it remained firmly rooted in its traditional spirituality?” In 1998 the idea emerged of setting up a Cultural and Meeting Centre. In the Nature Experience garden, visitors discover the beauty of nature. Splendid parkland, water features and beds of fragrant herbs – in the Abbey’s gardens, people are transported away from everyday life and back to the primordial and the regional. Many people take up the Abbey’s offer and enjoy their stay in the Waldsassen Abbey guesthouse with its extensive facilities. Local traditionalist for an entire region Abbess M. Laetitia Fech has managed to bring the Abbey and thus the whole region around Waldsassen back to life. And although it was a difficult task, she does not regret any of her decisions. “My life has definitely not gone as I had planned, but it is no worse for that,” says the Abbess with certainty. It is her love of the Abbey that accompanies and strengthens her on her path – and that her Sisters and guests sense on a daily basis. Personal tips from Abbess M. Laetitia Fech OCist: Our Basilica, the Library, the Abbey gardens and our Guesthouse are all essential highlights. Visitors should also go to our ostrich farm at Mittelhof. The Lourdes Grotto and the Church of the Holy Trinity at Kappl are particularly beautiful. From there you get outstanding views across the whole area. The “Via Porta” pilgrims’ way to Maria Loretto, which passes through the Czech Republic, makes a wonderful day trip, and the “Contemplation Path of Religions” in the heart of nature, which was designed by our environment station, is well worth a visit. I would urge devout individuals to visit Fockenfeld and Konnersreuth with the “Resl von Konnersreuth” – they both attract many visitors. About BAVARIA TOURISM BAVARIA TOURISM (by.TM) is the official marketing company for the Bavarian tourism and leisure industry. Under the umbrella brand Bayern®, the company offers the entire range of tourism services in the State of Bavaria. All marketing activities run under the umbrella brand claim “Bavaria – traditionally different”. The main focus here is the communication of authentic stories about Bavarian personalities and their way of life. They show Bavaria in a traditional yet modern light, and embody the distinctiveness of Bavaria as a travel destination. All stories can be found on the main website www.bayern.by/traditionally-different in the style of a travel magazine, and are communicated through all other channels of by.TM. The sub-brands WellVital® in Bavaria, Kinderland® Bavaria and the hotel brand Sightsleeping® also guarantee target-group-specific offers for connoisseurs, families and culture lovers. Through its own initiatives such as “Time for Tranquility”, “Filmkulisse Bayern” (film set Bavaria) and “Aristocratic Bavaria”, it brings tourism together with other industries to create productive partnerships. In this way, the marketing company can work with all the Bavarian tourism partners, offering guests from all over the world a range of attractive and varied travel ideas. With 37.3 million guests and 94.4 million overnight stays in the year 2017, Bavaria was able to reinforce its leading position as the number one travel destination in Germany. More information about the variety of destinations in Bavaria and about BAVARIA TOURISM can be found at: www.bavaria.by. - 2 - For more press information: Stephanie Scheuermann Nicole Berberich Head of Public Relations Manager Public Relations BAVARIA TOURISM BAVARIA TOURISM Tel.: (+49) (0)89/21 23 97 43 Tel.: (+49) (0)89/21 23 97 27 Fax: (+49) (0)89/21 23 97 99 Fax: (+49) (0)89/21 23 97 99 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Press services: www.bavaria.by, www.presse.bayern.by, www.bilder.bayern.by Facebook: www.facebook.com/visit.bavaria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayern #visitbavaria, #traditionallydifferent Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/deinbayern Twitter: https://twitter.com/bayern Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bayerntourismus - 3 -.

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