The gardens dedicated to the famous abbess, Hildegard of Bingen, are located in the small village of Eibingen.
The garden explores the themes of Hildegard’s works. As a complement to the exhibition at the nearby museum dedicated to Hildegard, the garden features numerous plants that the abbess described in her book “Physica”. In this work, the Benedictine nun discusses herbs, shrubs and trees in general, with reference to their influence on human beings. This work is considered an important source of medieval herbal medicine and remains highly relevant today.
Hildegard’s garden is divided into a total of 15 scientific research themes.
The themes of the Physica and the described effects of the plants are presented here by way of example. The garden’s layout follows a design inspired by medieval monastic thought. However, the choice of materials and the arrangement of the spaces also reflect a modern approach. This natural garden has been designed to be perceived as an integral part of the environment.
Narrow, orthogonal paths allow for a leisurely stroll through the garden and encourage reflection. Hildegard’s plants are arranged in small spaces with benches for resting.
Plants reveal, through their external characteristics (their ‘signatures’), which ailments they are useful for. For example, the bloodroot, with its red colour, was considered effective for blood disorders and fever. The mottled leaves, resembling a diseased lung, were recommended for the treatment of lung diseases, ‘since they possess a nature similar to that of the lung’.
- Photos by Luca Borghi @ (July 2025) and page layout by Maria Chiara Marseglia (March 2026)
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