National Socialism – Kloster Eberbach

Book cover “Kloster Eberbach im Nationalsozialismus” featuring photo of the monastery complex and title details

Kloster Eberbach has sought to come to terms with a special part of its history. It was one of the first institutions in the Rheingau to have its own role during the National Socialist era scientifically examined. The research project was carried out by the historian Sebastian Koch. The results of the study were published and presented to the public. The role of "Kloster Eberbach under National Socialism" is also the subject of the book of the same name, which summarises the results of the multi-year research project and was published in 2019. Among other things, it sheds light on the aryanisation of the wine trade, the use of prisoners of war in the vineyards, the storage of chemical products in the monastery grounds at the end of the war, and the activities of the resistance. Not every insight fits smoothly into our common image of the Nazi era.

The guest book of Eberbach Monastery from the years of the Nazi era - on the cover, the swastika on the chest of the Prussian eagle was subsequently painted over. The document is thus exemplary of the way the Nazi era was dealt with in Germany after 1945 and can be seen today in the Museum.

Martin Blach, Chairman of the Board of the Eberbach Monastery Foundation: "In order to defend our free and democratic life, we must relentlessly come to terms with our past. Closing the research gap of Eberbach Monastery on the Nazi era is therefore also a personal concern of mine. The Cistercians already promoted European integration - what place could be more symbolically responsible for a peaceful Europe? Freedom is not free."

Guest book of Eberbach Monastery from the Nazi era with embossed coat of arms, painted-over swastika and gold lettering “Goldenes Buch von Eberbach”

Portrait of Dr. Sebastian Koch
Dr Sebastian Koch comes from Paderborn and lives in Fulda. Studied history, Romance studies and education in Paderborn, Salamanca and Cologne. Study and research stays in Buenos Aires, Dresden, Frankfurt and Berlin. Doctorate on the history of Chilean refugees in the GDR.
The book is available for 29,90€ at the monastery cash desk, in the vinotheque or in bookshops

Photos: Landesamt für Denkmalpflege

Historian Sebastian Koch in a gray herringbone jacket and white shirt in an event room