Salem Monastery and Palace
Salem, GermanyThe Cistercian legacy
The former Cistercian abbey and present-day Salem Palace is located in the midst of generous 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 beginnings of the complex date back to the Middle Ages, when the village of Salmannsweiler was donated to the Cistercian order for the establishment of the abbey in 1134. 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 furnsihed abbey.
An eventful visit for the whole family
More than almost any other historical ensemble, Salem has been largely preserved in its authentic state since the monastery period: The magnificent architecture and furnishings bear witness to the wealth and artistic understanding of the Salem monks and take visitors on a journey through the centuries.
The gardens with their labyrinths and an adventure playground as well as an extensive park with magnificent historical buildings such as the stables, Gothic cathedral and baroque abbot's residence will impress young and old alike. The imperial hall, the audience chamber, the library and the dining room are particularly worth seeing. A monastery and a fire department museum also offer exciting opportunities for discovery.
The museums
The monastery museum in the prelature presents the masterpieces of the monastery. The Salem Fire Brigade Museum at the Sennhof shows a unique collection of fire engines and equipment and provides an overview of the wide range of fire protection measures up to the present day.
The Salem treasures at a glance
- Prelature with imperial hall, library and abbot's apartment
- Baroque-style gardens: courtyard garden with labyrinths
- Gothic cathedral with classicist alabaster furnishings
- Monastery museum and fire department museum
- Extensive castle grounds with park
- Historic Torkel (wine press)
- Baroque stables
- Arts and crafts shops
- Wine shop
- Castle restaurant
Pictures & Videos
Recommended seasons
November until 28 March 2025
Only the monastery museum in the prelature is open, Sat, Sun + public holidays
29 March to 02 November 2024
Mon-Sat 9.30 am - 6 pm; Sun + public holidays 10.30 am - 6 pm
Current opening hours at www.salem.de/en/visitor-information
11.00 €
Bodensee Card PLUS
One-time free admission with the Bodensee Card PLUS
5.50 €
Bodensee Card PLUS
One-time free admission with the Bodensee Card PLUS
All museums and exhibitions are included. Guided tours must be booked separately. The short guided tour of the cathedral is included in the admission price.
Experience 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
Schlossverwaltung
88682 Salem
Germany
schloss@salem.de
salem.de
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