In the footsteps of the peasant uprising: Eberbach monastery in the crisis!

In the footsteps of the peasant uprising: Eberbach monastery in the crisis!

In 2025, the Eberbach monastery in Eltville looks back on a moving story that was shaped by Abbot Martin Rifflinck. Rifflinck, who was in office from 1506 to 1514, is considered the last major abbot of the Middle Ages and presented the highlight of the medieval development of the monastery. The foundation of the monastery goes back to Bernhard von Clairvaux in 1136. Historian Helmut Heinemann emphasizes that Rifflinck left an extensive written legacy that offers important insights into everyday monastery life. One of the most important projects during his term was the construction of the large barrel, which was completed on August 8, 1500 and had a volume of around 71,000 liters. The barrel was not only a technical masterpiece, but also became a symbol of the economic influence of the monastery in the area of ​​wine production and wine trade.

Wine production was of crucial importance for the monastery. Under Abbot Rifflinck, wine production was not only known in the Rheingau, but also beyond. Historian Hilmar Tilgner documented that half of the large barrel 1502 and 1506 was filled with high -quality wine. But the prosperous time ended abruptly with the outbreak of the German Peasant War between 1524 and 1525, the highlight of which was reached in Rheingau in May 1525.

The German Peasant War and its consequences

In the Rheingau, around 200 citizens of Eltville formulated 29 articles with complaints and demands. Among other things, these included a weakening of the noble position and a reduction in tax load and the dissolution of the monasteries. The Eberbach monastery was directly affected when the monks had to provide the protesting farmers and the large barrel was almost completely emptied. The unrest spread to surrounding cities such as Bingen, Kastel, Hochheim and Wiesbaden. The influence of Martin Luther contributed to the aggressiveness of the uprising.

The uprising in the Rheingau finally collapsed in June 1525 when the forced contracts were declared null and void. This event led to considerable damage to the monastery that was not compensated for again. Historian Heinemann describes the economic decline of the monastery, which was persistent until the middle of the 17th century. The large barrel remained almost empty for 19 years before it was converted into a smaller barrel in 1543.

The discovery of the grave slab

A grave slab that was rediscovered just a few years ago illustrates the historical meaning of Abbot Martin Rifflinck. In 2000 the record, which was originally made for power of Allendorf and Elisabeth Wolf von Sponheim and later redesigned, was lifted from the bottom of the monastery church. The back of the grave slab shows a figurative representation of Rifflinck, which continues to be recognized by his legacy. Historians suspect that the client was dissatisfied with the first version and commissioned a new production, with the old version for the tomb plate Rifflinkks reused.

The history of the Eberbach monastery goes beyond the time of Rifflinck. The monastery complex has been owned by the State of Hesse since 1946 and has been gradually renovated and renovated. Today the Eberbach Kloster Foundation stands in favor of maintaining the historical building fabric and making the monastery accessible to the public. The monastery was used and further developed as a location for the film "The Name of the Rose" to fit in today's time.