Monastery Church of St Mary, Kloster Lehnin

Address

Klosterkirchplatz 20
14797 Kloster Lehnin OT Lehnin

Monastery Church of St Mary, Kloster Lehnin

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The little town Lehnin between Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel in the Havelland region is home to the oldest Cistercian monastery of the Mark Brandenburg region. It was established by the Margrave Otto I in 1180. After a convent from the Cistercian monastery in Sittichenbach had moved in, the complex was built and completed in 1260. It is an outstanding example of early North German brick architecture. The eastern part with the chancel, choir and nave bay was built in the Romanesque style. The western part was build in an early Gothic style.

In 1542 the monastery property fell to the Elector. In the Thirty Years War, the monastery and the surrounding villages were afflicted by lootings and arson. A modest form of farming life developed in Lehnin in the 17th century. The Great Elector had the convert building turned into a hunting lodge and his first wife, the Electress Luise-Henriette von Oranien liked to stay at this summer residence in Lehnin.

In autumn 1863, the poet Theodor Fontane visited the former monastery in Lehnin and dedicated several chapters of his book “Walks through the Brandenburg Marches” to it.

The monastery that had meanwhile deteriorated, was re-built between 1871 and 1877. Since 1911, the former monastery premises have been home to the Luise-Henriette Foundation. The music festival “Lehniner Sommermusiken” with a diverse range of concerts has long been a tradition, and is held between June and September. Visitors to the old buildings can get a sense of the place’s eventful history.

To book a tour, please call: +49 3382 768842.