2026 - May - Wiblingen Monastery with Library Hall

The bus ride from Ulm city center to Wiblingen takes only 13 minutes. If the location doesn’t ring a bell for you: the monastery is definitely worth a visit. Be sure not to miss the library, as it is a world-famous masterpiece of the Rococo. It was completed in 1744. The hall impresses with life-sized sculptures, among other things. The onsite supervisor was very knowledgeable and gladly explained their deeper meaning to us. For example, there is a figure holding a golden book, with an ear hanging from a chain. This representation symbolizes obedience to the abbot, the church, and God. The message is: do not speak, only listen. Other sculptures represent law, theology, or history. Interestingly, all the book spines used to be painted white to make the room appear even brighter and friendlier. Speaking of the room: the columns may look like real marble, but they are actually made of painted wood. Real marble would have been far too heavy for the statics of the second floor. Some of the displayed books are already about 500 years old. These are all printed copies. Sensitive handwritten works need to be stored under special climatic conditions. Also noteworthy are the enormous ceiling fresco by Franz Martin Kuen and the intricate design of the balconies. The entire library is beautiful and an absolute must-see when visiting Ulm. Be sure to check the official opening hours on the monastery's homepage when planning your visit, as the information on Google can sometimes be incorrect.https://www.kloster-wiblingen.de/besuchsinformation/oeffnungszeitenOf course, we also visited the basilica and had a special moment there. Due to renovation work, almost the entire interior was covered. Only the figure of Jesus on the cross hung freely between the scaffolding. This created a very unique and impressive photo opportunity.