Kloster Eberbach is, alongside Maulbronn (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most completely preserved German Cistercian monastery.  Not only the monastery within its walls, but also its integration into the surrounding landscape has been preserved in Eberbach. The traces in the landscape reveal much about the lifestyle and economy of the Cistercians. In addition to the secluded location in the wooded valley as prescribed for the monasteries of this order, the extended monastery district necessary for the community's livelihood, with its various agriculturally used areas, paths, and waterways, is still recognizable.

The history of the extended monastery district is documented in detail. According to this, this area came to the monastery through donations in 1173; shortly thereafter, the new path was laid out, forming the northeastern boundary, the yard north of the monastery (today Hof Geisgarten) was built, and in 1174 an additional water conduit was constructed.