Aura a.d. Saale: Monastery History and Saale Valley Views

Layers of Monastic History

Aura originated as a settlement for the dependants of the Benedictine Abbey of Uraugia. The founding of the monastery is linked to a specific historical landmark: Aura Monastery, with its monastery church above Traumplatz viewpoint, was founded in 1108 by Bishop Otto of Bamberg. The former monastery church is one of the oldest churches in Franconia.

Different eras meet in its architecture. The former monastery church was a three-aisled Romanesque basilica; it received its present Baroque furnishings in 1720. The term “three-aisled” refers to the church’s three longitudinal sections, while the Baroque furnishings represent a later phase of its design. Above the steps on the wall are six pointed-arch arcades. Some are restored remains of the former cloister.

These details provide tangible points of reference for the monastery’s history: its medieval founding, Romanesque structure, later Baroque furnishings and surviving cloister remains. Those interested in the town’s cultural heritage can explore these different traces of history, rather than seeing Aura only as a viewpoint.

Traumplatz Viewpoint and Getting Your Bearings

Traumplatz viewpoint offers views across Aura an der Saale and the Saale Valley as far as Trimburg Castle. From here, you can look out over the village and the wider surrounding landscape. In Kleinaura, the Kirchberg hill is home to the former Benedictine monastery and the town hall. Großaura has a small open-air swimming pool.

The listed tasting trees offer another way to explore the area: trees bearing apples, as well as apples and pears, are recorded in and around Aura. The municipality updates the list regularly, so check the current municipal map for their locations.

The Wider Bad Kissingen Travel Area

Beyond Aura, the Franconian Saale offers a nature-rich route for boating and hiking in the wider region. Hiking trails in the southern part of the Rhön Nature Park are well signposted. Marked cycle routes away from main roads lead through the Saale Valley and forested uplands to Bad Kissingen, Bad Bocklet, Hammelburg or the Rhön. Hiking, cycling and boating are all options for activities in the wider travel area.

The wider Bad Kissingen travel destination includes the district of Bad Kissingen, which lies on the southern edge of the Rhön. The Schondra Valley is considered one of Franconia’s most beautiful unspoilt wooded valleys. The region combines the foothills and open landscapes of the Rhön with a long wine-growing tradition and precious healing waters. This breadth of landscape and culture complements Aura’s more focused impressions of monastic history and views over the Saale Valley.

The district’s transport links are also useful for getting your bearings: the A 7 between Fulda and Würzburg and the A 71 between Erfurt and Schweinfurt cross it from north to south. Since 1 January 2025, the district has been part of the Mainfranken Local Transport Association (NVM).

When choosing a holiday apartment, consider how important the monastery’s history and Traumplatz viewpoint are to your travel plans, and whether you would also like to include hiking, cycling or boating destinations in the wider travel area.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Euerdorf, Bad Brückenau, Nüdlingen, Ramsthal, Bad Bocklet, Burkardroth, Riedenberg, Bad Kissingen.

Go to the broader travel overview: Bad Kissingen.