Stiepel Cistercian Monastery

The monastery church of St. Mary in Stiepel is the only Marian pilgrimage site in the diocese of Essen and attracts around 40,000 pilgrims every year. They come to venerate the Marian image of the "Sorrowful Mother of Stiepel", which was created in the 15th century. The monastery regularly organizes pilgrimages, including special youth pilgrimages and a youth vigil. Architecturally, the monastery building is laid out in a U-shape around the place of pilgrimage. The monks not only look after the pilgrimage site and the adjoining parish, but are also active in university teaching. Gin is also distilled at the monastery, with the raw materials coming from the monastery's own garden or from Heiligenkreuz Abbey. The monastery has an open-air altar, a pilgrims' hall and a monastery store.