The Hermitage Bretzenheim, commonly referred to as the “Rock Hermitage,” is a historical site situated in close proximity to the municipality of Bretzenheim, Germany.

Originally a prehistoric pagan site of worship hewn into the rock, this remarkable place later was transformed into a Mithraic temple during Roman times. Subsequently, it underwent a conversion into a Christian monastery, believed to have occurred between the 6th and 8th centuries. Notably, it stands as the sole rock monastery north of the Alps.

Here, as in numerous early places of worship, we can observe how both the Romans and later the Christians continued to utilize these sites. While then officially dedicated to the new deities, one might ponder whether the intention was simply to harness the energies of these ancient power spots by carrying out old rituals in a new guise.

The site reveals striking architectural features, reflecting the changing religious practices over the centuries. Many aspects of it, including the diverse niches and rock working, most likely have their roots in ancient times and were used for religious or ceremonial purposes.

A cutout in the rock face. Wondering what was placed in it a long time ago

A niche carved into the rock wall with traces of a former roofing

More niches

Again and again niches and recesses. They probably served cult purposes long before the Christian occupation of this place

The square holes in the rock face probably served as supports for beams when the Christian monks built a church building directly on the rock face. The latter has long disappeared

A rectangular groove

Behind the rock wall lies a chamber, spanning 90 square meters, most likely carved by the ancient builders of the complex. In the Middle Ages, it served as a convent for the monks. However, the true purpose of this chamber long back in time remains a mystery.

The 90 m2 so-called rock dwelling, which was most certainly already present before it was used by the Romans and Christian monks

The entrance

Older openings were bricked up and and windows were later inserted into the cutouts

More windows

The cavern behind the windows was used as a convent by the monks

What function the chamber once fulfilled?

Regrettably, that rock dwelling and another larger cavern, the so-called rock chapel, are now locked and inaccessible. The latter is featuring a rectangular basin or altar that looks like it is very old. As it seems, it was carved out of the rock together with the cavern.

The rock chapel, a cavity located behind the stone arches with an altar in its center

The rock chapel with a distinctive altar. It would be interesting to know how old the latter is. Most likely it belongs to the pagan past of this site

The rooms of the chapel were carved out of the solid rock

A prominent feature is a large cave-like recess below the rock dwelling. What it once served for is again completely unknown.
Below the current ground line of the complex, another building level with more caverns was discovered during excavations in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, these are also sealed. An exploration of this underground cellar would certainly be interesting

A large, cave-like niche in the rock face

The former function of that large cavity is unknown

The cave-like recess. In the background the entrance to the rock chapel

More impressions of the site:

View of a stone portrait of a knight. Maybe a tomb slab

The knight sculpture

Another portrait of a knight carved into the stone. According to the degree of weathering, it seems that this one is much older than the other one

The Catholic Church loves to take possession of such old places

Stairs carved into the rock with no apparent purpose

Niches with certainly prehistoric origin. The upper one with the crucifix may be of more recent origin. If you look closely, you can still see the traces of the roof of an attached church, which was destroyed by a landslide presumably in the 16th century.

A rectangular niche carved out of the rock. Here, too, the purpose is no longer traceable

A window cut into the rock. Its former function is unknown

The following video shows a brief tour of the complex:

The Hermitage is located not far from the towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim am Rhein: