Börstel Abbey

The four pillars of monastic culture have also been preserved: spirituality, economy, gardens and education.

Spirituality is the foundation of the community. Founded in praise of God, this is still the focus of prayer times today. Twice a day, the community living on the abbey grounds gather for reading, silent meditation and singing. Experiencing nature is the basis of creation spirituality. The Cistercian beauty of the place still sparks spontaneous enthusiasm and gratitude. A forest labyrinth and the cemetery also inspire meditation.

The forest in particular makes for the economic viability of the monastery. Prudent forestry management across the centuries has resulted in a healthy forest. For its future experiments are being conducted with climate-change-resistant tree species. The monastic cultural landscape invites visitors to hiking and walking. Holiday apartments, guest houses and a conference centre provide accommodation. The second economic sector is agriculture. Leasing arable land and grassland to surrounding family businesses who engage in circular economy ensures that the soil remains well preserved. An organic farm shop with a bistro attached allows direct marketing in the monastery. Chickens and sheep are kept on the abbey grounds itself.

A walk-in vestry garden behind the cloister provides an abundance of flowers with its borders and is a delight for insects and people alike. The kitchen garden at the other end of the monastery grounds serves to provide a healthy diet.

The monastery is a place of education. Together with the Grafelder Moor learning centre, it has been a recognised learning venue for schools and adult education since 1997. Monastic knowledge as well as forest and water ecology are the main topics of the cultural history and environmental education work there.

The chapter itself attaches great importance to the education and training of individuals. There is an opportunity for young adults to experience a voluntary ecological year (FÖJ) at the monastery.