Ottobeuren

Ottobeuren is a municipality in the Swabia region of Bavaria, Germany, located in the district of Unterallgäu. It is situated in the Iller valley, approximately 12 kilometers south of Memmingen and 30 kilometers north of Kempten. The town's most prominent landmark is the Ottobeuren Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery that is now a coenobium of the Benedictine Congregation of St. Ottilien. The abbey church, built in the Baroque style, is a significant pilgrimage site and a masterpiece of southern German Baroque architecture.

The history of Ottobeuren dates back to the early medieval period. The Benedictine monastery was founded in 764 AD, making it one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Germany. Throughout its long history, the abbey played a crucial role in the religious, cultural, and economic development of the region. It was secularized in 1803 during the Napoleonic era, but the monastic community was re-established in 1917.

Ottobeuren is also known for its annual organ concerts held in the abbey church, which attract musicians and music lovers from around the world. The town itself offers a charming atmosphere with historical buildings and a picturesque setting in the foothills of the Alps. It serves as a local center for commerce and services, with a developing tourism sector drawn by the abbey and the surrounding natural beauty. The Iller river provides opportunities for outdoor activities like cycling and hiking.