Zellhöfe

Zellhöfe are historical farmsteads found in parts of southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The term "Zellhof" literally translates to "cell farm" or "monastery farm." These estates were typically associated with a monastic institution, often a monastery or convent, and served as its agricultural and economic backbone. The monastery would own the land and the Zellhof would be managed by a tenant farmer or a secular administrator appointed by the religious order.

These farmsteads were crucial for the self-sufficiency of monastic communities, providing food, raw materials, and income through the sale of surplus produce. They played a significant role in medieval and early modern rural economies. The structure of a Zellhof often included a main residential building for the farm manager, barns, stables, and various outbuildings necessary for agricultural operations. In some cases, these farms also housed a small chapel.

The concept of Zellhöfe reflects the extensive land ownership and economic influence of religious institutions during certain historical periods. Over time, as secularization increased and monastic land holdings changed, many Zellhöfe were either sold off, divided, or transformed into ordinary farms. Today, the term is primarily of historical significance, referring to a specific type of agricultural estate linked to monasticism.