Hildegard highlight

Villa am Rupertsberg - City Archive & Monastery Arcades                                        Experience the former Hildegard monastery with the ‘lift to the past’

Almost 400 years ago, the Hildegard monastery was largely destroyed, and after 1803 the site was always privately owned. Since then, the remains of the monastery have not been open to the public. But this has now changed! In the Villa am Rupertsberg - based on the original monastery arcades from the Hildegard church - the lost Hildegard monastery has been ‘resurrected’ and can be discovered with all the senses using digital technology: Experience how the vanished choir complements the original remains through virtual reconstruction and a little optical illusion so that you find yourself in the centre of Hildegard's church.

The ‘lift to the past’                                                                                                                                        Then it's time to get in - and immerse yourself in the world of Hildegard of Bingen at the touch of a button: The ‘lift to the past’ takes you right into the monastery as it might have looked in the 12th or 13th century. First, you descend to the walking level of the church in Hildegard's time.             You decide how to continue: first a tour through the church, into the cloister and then out into the monastery courtyard? Or would you prefer to go straight up to the church tower to enjoy the view of medieval Bingen? After your trip to the monastery, be careful when re-entering the reality of the 21st century - you might have problems getting your bearings... In any case, you will now see the historically significant place where we are - the place where Hildegard of Bingen worked - in a different way!

Information on visiting the ‘lift to the past’                                                                                                              A visit to the ‘Lift to the Past’ is possible as part of a visit to the Museum am Strom or with a single ticket on site (€2).

Opening hours:                                                                                                                                                      Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. Closed on public holidays.

Guided tours can be booked outside the opening hours of the city archives by appointment on +49(0)6721/184353 (Tue-Sun, Museum am Strom) or +49(0)6721/184200 (Mon-Sat, Bingen Tourismus & Kongress GmbH).