Nestled along the Neckar River in Southern Germany, Bad Wimpfen is a beautiful and picturesque town notable for its historic character and surviving medieval buildings. On the hill above the river, amongst the half-timber houses and winding streets, are the remains of an imperial palace. Below, next to the river, rests a monastic cloister and its church. Overlooking it all, the imperial palace’s nearly eight hundred year old Blue Tower still keeps watch.

In these eighty-four images, photographer Mark C. Christianson explores the town and cloister of Bad Wimpfen. His photos range from wide vistas and townscapes, through investigation of intimate details. He pays special attention to the details of the cloister—the town’s architectural gem—and the contemplative play of light and darkness within the sheltered openness of the cloister’s medieval passages.

Come along on a journey into a small, historic German town found in our own contemporary world: Bad Wimpfen.

This is the large hardcover edition.