Monastery of Waldsassen as a flourishing cultural, educational and economic centre
About this good practice
In 1995, Laetitia Fech was elected abbess of Waldsassen Monastery, facing the challenge of preserving and revitalizing its historic complex, which had not undergone significant renovation since the Baroque period. To finance this transformation, she designed an innovative funding model involving 10 different grant providers.
Between 1997 and 2019, the monastery underwent a comprehensive renewal while diversifying its functions. In 1998, a cultural and meeting center (KuBZ) was founded as a foundation to foster cultural exchange. In 2004, an environmental education station was created in the former plant nursery. Since 2008, Kloster Waldsassen GmbH & Co KG has provided accommodation and catering for KuBZ participants at the St. Joseph guesthouse. The monastery, along with the basilica and abbey library, has become a key tourist destination, contributing to the Stiftland region’s branding, which was recognized with the European Heritage Label in 2024.
The monastery, local government, and cultural institutions are key stakeholders. Beneficiaries include tourists, students, residents, and vulnerable groups housed in the repurposed mill district. Current projects focus on transforming the abbey library into a "Third Place" and preparing for a roof renovation.
Resources needed
General renovation: total work costs ~40 million Euros. These resources have been obtained from various regional and national funding programmes.
Evidence of success
- Abbey with 31 employees as an important employer in the town of Waldsassen
- Positive operating results since 2018
- Several thousand tourists and visitors annually (national and international)
- Over 420 students at the girls' secondary school
- Since 1995, 7 nuns have joined the convent.
Potential for learning or transfer
The multifunctional use of the monastery has strengthened its role as a cultural, educational, and social hub, attracting visitors and stakeholders while ensuring financial sustainability. The key to success has been the establishment of diverse income streams and strong cooperation with local and regional authorities.
For 900 years, the Cistercian monastery has shaped Waldsassen and the surrounding region. Its long-standing collaboration with municipal, regional, and national institutions has been crucial, with the abbess successfully engaging political leaders to support its development. The monastery's integration into the local economy and tourism strategy has enhanced the visibility of the "Stiftland" region.
A key aspect of transferability is its inclusion in the European network "Cisterscapes," which unites 17 Cistercian monastic landscapes. This initiative offers a replicable model for heritage-based regional development through cultural tourism and strategic partnerships.
Further information
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