Far away from the hustle and bustle and noise, the small town of Memleben lies in the Unstrut valley. Here, where once there was hustle and bustle as the site of a palace and King Henry I and Emperor Otto I took up residence with numerous followers, visitors today take time out in a medieval monastery complex. 

Retrospect: Memleben goes down in history in the 10th century as the place of death of King Henry I (†936) and Emperor Otto the Great (†973). The foundation of the monastery by Emperor Otto II served to secure the so-called memoria. Prayerful remembrance, especially cultivated in monasteries, was of particular importance to ancestors and one's own family in the Middle Ages for the salvation of the soul after death. Through benevolent support from the Ottonians, the Memleben monastery quickly developed into an important imperial abbey, which, although it suffered some setbacks from 1015 onward, ultimately existed until the 16th century. The Benedictine spirit can still be felt within the monastery walls today. The breathtaking architecture, the ground plan of a monumental church of the 10th century and the ruins of a second church of the 13th century, tell of the times when the monks made a significant contribution to the development of the cultural landscape along the Saale and Unstrut rivers. But modern monks also regularly move into the former monastery. For example, Benedictines from Münsterschwarzach Abbey invite visitors to pray in the late Romanesque crypt during the "Enlivened Monastery". In addition, open discussions and a monastery workshop offer the opportunity to learn a lot about current monastic life. 

Another highlight is the visit to the exhibitions. Here, it's not just about conveying historical facts. With numerous interactive stations, the museum literally turns Memleben's multifaceted history into an eventful journey through time that is a great adventure for children and adults alike.