Kloster Medingen

Medingen Monastery near Bad Bevensen is one of six active Protestant women's monasteries in the Lüneburg Heath and the only new Protestant monastery in northern Germany.

Medingen Monastery - one of the six Lüneburg monasteries

Medingen Monastery is one of the six "Lüneburg monasteries" that have survived to this day since the Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in a document in 1228. Nevertheless, it is the only one of the heath monasteries that is not Gothic in style. A fire in 1781 destroyed the old Gothic building. The preserved brick brewery at the rear of the monastery gives an impression of what the monastery may have looked like in the Middle Ages.

The only Lüneburg monastery in neoclassical form

The special feature is the current shape of its early neoclassical main building. It is the only ensemble of its kind in northern Germany. The broad façade of the symmetrical structure is based on an H-shape and the building is almost reminiscent of a castle. In the centre, it is dominated by the mighty, 40-metre-high bell tower of the integrated monastery church.

A round church

The early classicist, round interior of the church has a particularly unique atmosphere. The gallery runs through the entire round of the church. Stalls and boxes under the gallery emphasise the circular structure. Opposite the entrance, the sarcophagus altar, pulpit and organ stand one above the other. The clear forms and bright colours of the neoclassical room convey a feeling of inner peace and balance. The church is still regularly used today for parish services, weddings, christenings and cultural events. During guided tours, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of a place that is still inhabited and characterised by women today.

Evangelical nuns at Medingen Convent

Medingen Convent is home to an evangelical nunnery. The convent has been headed by an abbess since 1494. The conventuals are responsible for the convent's art treasures. They are responsible for passing on knowledge and regularly guide visitors through the complex. The most important treasures include the abbess' crozier from 1494, the golden relic statue of St Maurice from the 15th century, a tapestry from the 16th century, old silver and porcelain, as well as medieval chests and cabinets.

Chapter hall in the monastery

For the meetings of the convent, there is an atmospheric chapter hall, in which portraits of the abbesses from the 17th century onwards can also be seen.

Festivities were also celebrated in Medingen Monastery, in the specially designed banqueting hall. This candle-lit room with its classical elements is a jewel of the monastery and is still used today for cultural and musical events.