For two weeks, 15 young adults from ten nations came together for an international work camp in Maulbronn. With rakes, spades and plenty of motivation, they tackled branches, leaves and sediment to make the extensive Cistercian water management system, an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, visible again.

What at first glance appears to be a simple moat is actually a technical masterpiece from the Middle Ages. The historic moat system was probably built successively by the Cistercians after the founding of Maulbronn Monastery around 1147 and collected, stored and channelled the water into the Salzach and the ponds connected to it.

It ensured the water supply for the monastery’s business operations. Water was used for fish farming and as a source of energy for both the monastery mill and the grinding mill. To this day, the water management system is an essential part of Maulbronn’s unique cultural landscape.

“I wasn’t expecting such an extensive system of trenches,” reports Sebastian from Spain, who is equally impressed by how the monks created this more than 800 years ago without any modern aids. What was particularly nice, however, was the time spent in the community with the other young participants.

International understanding is also very important to Ulrich Klotz, the initiator and forest district manager. He runs the youth work camp and reports on how much living and working together unites the young people.

The work camp was sponsored by the World Heritage Fund BW and the town of Maulbronn. It was organized by the Bürgerverein Schmie e.V. under the leadership of district forester Ulrich Klotz with the support of Cisterscapes. Other cooperation partners included Internationale Begegnung in Gemeinschaftsdiensten e.V. (IBG), the Enzkreis District Office and ForstBW.

However, the aim of the work camp was not only to uncover historical structures, but also to teach the practical aspects of monument protection. For example, the wooden leaf rakes – extremely effective wooden devices – were cleared of leaves and brushwood in the trenches so that the water can flow freely again and forest paths are not damaged.

The international youth work camp is a project that connects young adults across national borders and helps not only to preserve the cultural landscape, but also to bring it to life. Preserving and bringing our cultural heritage closer is also a major concern of Cisterscapes, emphasizes Maulbronn’s mayor Aaron Treut.

Under the motto “Cisterscapes – connecting Europe”, people and places are brought closer together through their shared history – an important pillar to interest future generations in our cultural heritage.

Photo: Young people at work under the guidance of district forester Ulrich Klotz.
Photographer: City of Maulbronn/ Schütz