Venue

  

HWS-18 will take place in Frauenwörth, a Benedictine abbey situated on Fraueninsel in Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria, roughly in the middle between Munich and Salzurg. According to historians, the abbey was founded by Duke Tassilo III and Liutberga of Bavaria and consecrated on 1. September 782, together with the abbey church. It has an eventful history, existing until the secularisation of the clergy in Bavaria was enforced in 1803. The convent was dissolved, though the old community continued to exist. As no buyer could be found for the convent buildings, the nuns were permitted to remain. In 1836, the convent was re-established by King Ludwig I of Bavaria on the condition that the Benedictine nuns opened schools. From 1837 onwards, they devoted themselves to the education of girls, which they continued until 1995. Since then the convent is still run by Benedictine nuns and is an important educational centre in the region.

The Fraueninsel is 15.5 hectares in size, car-free and can be walked around in 20 minutes on a comfortable shore path. The monastery area covers about one third of the total area.

When the weather allows, there are several places to go for a swim. Water temperatures in May can rise up to 21°C but can also stay as low as 13°C.

The island is a popular tourist destination during the day. However, it turns into a peaceful, quite and remote location once the last ship has left at 7 pm. In other words, it is ideal for our scientific exchange as there is nothing (shops etc.) to distract us and no way to escape!