We were back on the road to drive another 2 miles north to the town of Arnsburg and the Kloster (Monastery) there. It is said to be one of the most beautiful monastic ruins in Europe. As we went through the entrance we immediately saw a huge bare cemetery that had similar headstones. After reading the German inscriptions we realized these people had all been murdered by the Gestapo 2 days before the American Army liberated Germany. We talked to a lady there who told us in her broken English that there were 80 women and 6 men were taken into the forest not far from here and shot in the back. They were all young adults who had been imprisoned in a forced labor camp not far from the Kloster.The Original ruins of the church were beautiful with its huge doors and pillars. We saw a bride and a groom who were having there wedding pictures taken here and they even stopped to let me take a picture. They were so cute together. What a place as a back drop for wedding photos. At the North end is the original graveyard but recent burials have been done there. We came upon a grave with the Walter(s) name. Could this have been one of Elder Walter's relatives? We are still looking.
This Kloster was first run by the Cistercian Monks from France in 1500's. It went into disrepair after the 30 year War. In the center is a peaceful garden. Mostly trees that run along a small creek, but there is a spot that the hotel has planted that I had to take a picture of. You can tell that the trees have been there for a long time. It was an interesting place to visit. They said the grounds were designed as to bring solace to the Monks who had taken a vow of silence.
This concluded another well planned day, thanks to Elder Walters.
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