Ruins of Kloster Schwarzenbroich

Schwarzenbroich Monastery is a ruin in the forest between Gürzenich and Schevenhütte in the district of Düren, North Rhine-Westphalia in what is now the municipality of Langerwehe. The Crusaders of the Order of the Holy Cross, OSC, lived in the monastery.

The Schwarzenbroich Monastery has a long history.
It was founded by one of the von Merodes, after he had been instructed to do so in a dream by the apostle Matthew.
Crosiers lived here for centuries, until they were expelled after the French Revolution. Since then, the monastery fell into disrepair.
It was additionally destroyed during the Second World War, but also afterwards many building materials were removed for new construction in the area.
The ruins are now 'in the middle of nowhere', but at the time they were located on an important trade and pilgrimage route.

At this time of year, due to the heavy vegetation, very few of the ruins are visible.