Corvey UNESCO World Heritage Site

The former Benedictine Abbey of Corvey, founded in 822 by order of Charlemagne, is one of the most significant monasteries of medieval Germany. Today, the complex stands as a Baroque palace owned by the ducal family. The early medieval westwork of the abbey church, a unique example of Carolingian architecture, forms the core of the World Heritage Site. The preserved vaulted hall and the main room on the upper floor are outstanding examples of the “Carolingian Renaissance.” Inside the palace, the magnificent Imperial Hall and historic state and living quarters from the 18th and 19th centuries are particularly impressive. The Princely Library, with approximately 75,000 volumes, is one of Germany’s most significant private libraries. Hoffmann von Fallersleben, the poet who wrote the German national anthem, is buried in the cemetery. The permanent exhibition “The Millennium of the Monks” offers insights into the Golden Age of the monks. Corvey is also a vibrant venue, known for the Corvey Music Weeks. The Remtergarten, part of the Huxarium Garden Park in Höxter, complements the complex with a wide variety of plants.