Dating from as far back as the 12th century, Eberbach monastery, located in an idyllic little valley, went trough periods as a lunatic asylum, jail, sheep pen and accomodation for WWII refugees. It was, founded in 1136 by Bernhard von Clairvaux, and still exists today as a completely preserved ensemble of outstanding Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings. This was our first stop in our Rhine Valley tour.