The former Cistercian abbey and present-day Salem Palace is located in the midst of extensive parks and gardens. It came into the possession of the margraves of Baden in 1802 and has belonged to the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg (State Palaces and Gardens of Baden- Württemberg) since 2009.
The complex dates back to the The beginnings of the abbey lie in the Middle Ages, when in 1134 the village of Salmannsweiler was donated to the Cistercian Order for the foundation of the monastery. The abbey quickly developed into one of the most important in southern Germany.
Salem experienced a second heyday in the baroque period, as evidenced by the splendidly furnished abbey, which is still the family seat of the margraves of Baden. The Monastery Museum Salem in the prelature, a branch museum of the Badisches Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe, presents ‘Meisterwerke der Reichsabtei’ (Masterpieces of theImperial abbey). The Salem Feuerwehrmuseum (Fire Brigade Museum) near Sennhof exhibits a unique collection of fire pumps and devices that includes real rarities: hand fire pumps, steam fire engines and even motorised pumps.
The Gothic cathedral with its alabaster interior, Monastery Museum, extensive palace complex with parks and an adventure playground, Fire Brigade Museum, historical wine press, baroque stables, artisan shops, wine shop and restaurant.
27th March-1st November
Monday-Saturday, 9:30 am-6 pm
Sunday and public holidays, 10:30 am-6 pm
Last guided tour at 4:30 pm.
From November to the end of March 2022 only the Monastery Museum in the Prelature is open:
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 11 am-4:30 pm
Guided tour "Path through the centuries
Sundays and public holidays, at 14 hrs
The entrance fee includes all museums and exhibitions. Guided tours must be booked separately. The short tour of the cathedral is included in the entrance fee.
One-time free admission with the Bodensee Card PLUS
KidsExperience Salem Monastery & Castle barrier-free
Visitors with reduced mobility can visit extensive park area of monastery and Salem Castle without restrictions except for the prelature.
The tour of the cathedral is conditionally barrier-free; this also applies to the fire brigade museum in the Sennhof.
Wine region Lake Constance
Learn more about the Margraves of Baden wines during wine history tours or a wine tasting in Salem Castle.
More information about the wine region Lake Constance can be found here.
Kloster und Schloss Salem
88682 Salem
Germany