From the shore of Lake Laach, it’s not far along the Laach Loop Trail to the Maria Laach monastery complex, where Benedictine monks still live today. Laachus marvels at the impressive Romanesque abbey church and immediately understands why it is one of the most famous buildings in the Eifel. Deeply moved, Laachus lets this place of peace and spirituality wash over him and savors the sense of security conveyed by these historic walls. After a break, he explores the monastery grounds. In the beautiful monastery garden, Laachus meets a very friendly gardener. “Everything here is blooming and green so beautifully that I don’t even know where to look first,” Laachus praises the gardener’s work enthusiastically. The gardener beams and then listens closely to what’s on Laachus’s mind. “Well,” he says, after Laachus has told him that he is a floating stone, “there’s one thing you need to know: Nature works incredible wonders. Rejoice in the fact that you are different.” Laachus is more than happy to do that. But he also wants to understand and know why he is so extraordinary. The gardener, who has given his heart more to the plants than to the stones, advises him to ask the magnificent boulders in Wolfsschlucht. He explains that over the course of 13,000 years, the Tönissteiner Bach has carved its bed through the landscape down to the bedrock. Laachus is determined to see the deep, impressive valley with its magnificent waterfalls and consult the rocks. And so Laachus continues on his way through the legendary volcanic region of Lake Laach to find out why he can swim.

Location information:

Maria Laach Monastery Complex, 56653 Maria Laach