List of Christian religious houses in Saxony-Anhalt
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Christian monasteries, both men's and women's, in Saxony-Anhalt
, Germany
. Some were dissolved during the Reformation
in the mid-16th century, but a number survived as Catholic institutions until the secularisation of the Napoleonic period, while others became Lutheran and continued either as schools or as establishments for the unmarried daughters and widows of the aristocracy (Damenstifte). The Communist period after World War II
saw little activity in terms of religious houses, for obvious reasons: a conspicuous exception was the re-foundation of Huysburg Priory in 1972. A small number of religious communities, both Catholic and Lutheran, have opened after reunification. Extant religious houses are shown in bold.
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Some were dissolved during the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in the mid-16th century, but a number survived as Catholic institutions until the secularisation of the Napoleonic period, while others became Lutheran and continued either as schools or as establishments for the unmarried daughters and widows of the aristocracy (Damenstifte). The Communist period after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
saw little activity in terms of religious houses, for obvious reasons: a conspicuous exception was the re-foundation of Huysburg Priory in 1972. A small number of religious communities, both Catholic and Lutheran, have opened after reunification. Extant religious houses are shown in bold.
A
- Abbenrode Priory (Kloster Abbenrode), AbbenrodeAbbenrodeAbbenrode is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the municipality Nordharz. It is situated near the Ecker river north of the Harz mountain range at the border with the state of Lower Saxony....
: Augustinian Canons (before 1141-1554) - Adersleben Abbey (Kloster Adersleben), WegelebenWegelebenWegeleben is a town in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Bode, east of Halberstadt. It is part of the Verbandsgemeinde Vorharz. The town was the birthplace of Martin Bormann in 1900. It has a station on the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
: Cistercian nuns (1267-1809) - Althaldensleben Abbey (Kloster Althaldensleben), HaldenslebenHaldenslebenHaldensleben is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the Ohre river, approx. 30 km northwest from Magdeburg. It is connected by railway to Magdeburg, Oebisfelde and Eilsleben. It is the capital of the district Börde. It has a Protestant and a Catholic church. An old equestrian...
: Cistercian nuns (1228-1810)
B
- Badersleben Priory (Kloster Badersleben), Badersleben, HuyHuyHuy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. Huy lies along the river Meuse, at the mouth of the small river Hoyoux. It is in the sillon industriel, the former industrial backbone of Wallonia, home to about two-thirds of the Walloon population...
: Augustinian canonesses (or nuns) (dates tbe) - Berge Abbey (Kloster Berge, otherwise known as Kloster St. Johannes der Täufer auf dem Berge), near Buckau, MagdeburgMagdeburgMagdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
: Benedictine monks (c 966 - 1810)
C
- Gottesgnaden Abbey or God's Grace Abbey, Calbe (Stift Gottes Gnade, Calbe), Gottesgnaden, CalbeCalbeCalbe is a town in the district of Salzlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.It is situated on the Saale River, approx. north of Bernburg, and southeast of Magdeburg. It is known as Calbe an der Saale, to distinguish it from the smaller town of Kalbe on the Milde in the same state. Pop...
: Premonstratensians (1131-late 16th century)
D
- Dambeck Abbey (Kloster Dambeck), DambeckDambeckDambeck is a municipality in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany....
, SalzwedelSalzwedelSalzwedel of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, and has a population of approximately 21,500. Salzwedel is located on the German Framework Road.-Geography:...
: Benedictine nuns c 1200-1542; refounded 1644 as a school; run since 1993 by a Lutheran religious community, the Brotherhood of Joseph (Joseph-Bruderschaft) - Drübeck Abbey (Kloster Drübeck), DrübeckDrübeckDrübeck is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 July 2009, it is part of the town Ilsenburg.- Abbey :...
: Benedictine nuns (before 960 - mid-17th century); Lutheran women's collegiate foundation (Damenstift) (1732-1946)
G
- Gernrode Abbey (Stift Gernrode), GernrodeGernrodeGernrode is a town and a former municipality in Germany, in the district of Harz, Saxony-Anhalt. The town was first mentioned in 961 and became a city in 1539. Since 1 January 2011, it is part of the town Quedlinburg...
: secular canonesses (960-1570) - Gottes Gnade, see Calbe
- Gröningen PrioryGröningen PrioryGröningen Priory was a house of the Benedictine Order located west of Gröningen in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany.The monastery was founded in 936 from Corvey Abbey, of which it was a priory, on initiative of Saxon Count Siegfried of Merseburg and his second wife Guthia upon the death of King Henry I...
(Kloster Gröningen), GröningenGröningenGröningen is a town in the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It lies approx. 40 km south-west of Magdeburg, and 10 km east of Halberstadt. It has 4,180 inhabitants . Gröningen is part of the Verbandsgemeinde Westliche Börde....
: Benedictine monks (936-1550) - Gross Ammensleben Abbey (Kloster Gross Ammensleben) Gross Ammensleben, Niedere BördeNiedere BördeNiedere Börde is a municipality in the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated between Haldensleben and Magdeburg....
: proprietary monastery (nk-1129); Benedictine monks (1129-1804)
H
- Hadmersleben Abbey (Kloster Hadmersleben), HadmerslebenHadmerslebenHadmersleben is a town and a former municipality in the Börde district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 September 2010, it is part of the town Oschersleben....
: Benedictine nuns (961-1809) - HalberstadtHalberstadtHalberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
:- St. Andrew's Priory (Kloster Sankt Andreas, Halberstadt): Franciscan friary (nk-1803)
- St. Burchard's Abbey (Kloster Sankt Burchardi, Halberstadt): Premonstratensians (1186-nk); Knights Templar (nk-1206); Cistercian nuns (1206-1808)
- St. Catharine's Priory (Kloster Sankt Katharina, Halberstadt): Dominican friars (nk-1803)
- St. John's Priory (Kloster Sankt Johann, Halberstadt): Augustinian canons (nk-1803)
- St. Nicholas' Priory (Kloster Sankt Nikolaus, Halberstadt): Dominican nuns (nk-1803)
- St. Thomas's at the Broad Gate (St. Thomae am Breiten Tor): commandery of the Knights Templar (1206-nk)
- St. Ursula's Priory (Kloster Sankt Ursula, Halberstadt): Cellitines (nk-1803)
- Hamersleben Priory (Kloster Hamersleben): Augustinian Canons (1111-1804; founded 1108 in Osterwieck and moved to Hamersleben; a double monastery until the end of the 13th century)
- Havelberg Abbey (Kloster Havelberg), HavelbergHavelbergHavelberg is a town in the district of Stendal, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the Havel, and part of the town is built on an island in the centre of the river. The two parts were incorporated as a town in 1875...
: Premonstratensians (1150-1506) - Hedersleben Abbey or Priory (Kloster St. Gertrudis, Hedersleben), Hedersleben: Cistercian nuns (nk-1811)
- Helfta Priory, formerly Helfta Abbey (Kloster St. Marien zu Helfta, otherwise Kloster Helfta), Helfta and EislebenEislebenEisleben is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is famous as the hometown of Martin Luther, hence its official name is Lutherstadt Eisleben. As of 2005, Eisleben had a population of 24,552...
: Benedictine and also later Cistercian nuns (1258-1542; moved to Helfta from Mansfeld in 1258, from Helfta to Eisleben 1343, from Eisleben back to Helfta in 1525); re-founded in Eisleben as a Cistercian nunnery, Kloster St. Marien zu Helfta, in 1999 - Hillersleben Abbey (Kloster Hillersleben), HillerslebenHillerslebenHillersleben is a village and a former municipality in the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the municipality Westheide....
: Benedictine nuns (2nd half 10th century-c 1000); Benedictine monks (1022-1632) - Himmelpforten Priory (Kloster Himmelpforten), between HasserodeHasserodeHasserode has been a quarter in the town of Wernigerode since 1907, a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Location :Hasserode lies at the foot of the Harz Mountains in the valley of the River Holtemme, whose upper reaches include the water cascade of the Steinerne Renne...
in WernigerodeWernigerodeWernigerode is a town in the district of Harz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Until 2007, it was the capital of the district of Wernigerode. Its population was 35,500 in 1999....
and DarlingerodeDarlingerodeDarlingerode is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 July 2009, it is part of the town Ilsenburg.-Overview:...
: Augustinian Hermits (1253-early 18th century?) - Huysburg Priory, formerly Huysburg Abbey (Kloster Huysburg; Priorat Huysburg), HuysburgHuysburgHuysburg or Huysburg Priory , formerly Huysburg Abbey , is a Benedictine monastery situated on the Huy, a mountainous area near Halberstadt, in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany....
: Benedictine monks (1080-1804); re-founded 1972
I
- Ilsenburg AbbeyIlsenburg AbbeyIlsenburg Abbey was a monastery of the Benedictine Order located at Ilsenburg near Wernigerode, in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany....
(Kloster Ilsenburg), IlsenburgIlsenburgIlsenburg is a town in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. It is situated under the north foot of the Harz Mountains, at the entrance to the Ilsetal valley of the small Ilse river, a tributary of the Oker, about six north-west of the town of Wernigerode. It received town privileges...
: Benedictine monks (1003x1009-1555)
K
- Klosterrode Abbey (Kloster Roda or Rode; also Kloster Klosterrode), Klosterrode, BlankenheimBlankenheim, Saxony-AnhaltBlankenheim is a municipality in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany....
: Premonstratensians (c 1147-1543) - Cölbigk Abbey (Kloster Cölbigk), Cölbigk (or Kölbigk), IlberstedtIlberstedtIlberstedt is a municipality in the district of Salzlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany....
: Premonstratensians (1140-1540) - KonradsburgKonradsburgThe Konradsburg is a former castle, monastery and manor house near Ermsleben in the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Castle :Konradsburg was first mentioned in 1021 and was originally built to protect the imperial estate of the Harz...
: Benedictine monks (1120s-1477); Carthusians (1477-1525)
L
- Leitzkau Abbey or Priory (Kloster Leitzkau), Leitzkau, GommernGommernGommern is a town in the Jerichower Land district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated approx. 15 km southeast of Magdeburg. On January 1, 2005, the municipalities Dannigkow, Dornburg, Karith, Ladeburg, Leitzkau, Menz, Nedlitz, Vehlitz and Wahlitz have been incorporated into Gommern. On...
: Premonstratensians (1138/39-c1535) - Hospital of St. Anthony, Lichtenburg (Haus Lichtenbergk), near PrettinPrettinPrettin is a town and a former municipality in Wittenberg district in Saxony-Anhalt. Since 1 January 2011, it is part of the town Annaburg. It was part of the former administrative community of Annaburg-Prettin....
: Antonine Brothers (before 1315-1525; rebuilt as a palace, Schloss Lichtenburg, later in the 16th century)
M
- MagdeburgMagdeburgMagdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
:- Abbey of Our Lady, Magdeburg (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen, Magdeburg [1]): collegiate foundation of canons (1015x1018-1129); Premonstratensians (1129-1601; motherhouse of the Premonstratensian Order during that period); school 1698-1832x1834
- Priory of Our Lady, Magdeburg (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen, Magdeburg [2]): a priory of Hamborn Abbey, opened since 1990; has no connection with the previous Abbey of Our Lady
- St. Agnes' Abbey or Priory, Neustadt (Agnetenkloster, Neustadt), Alte Neustadt: Cistercian nuns (1230-1810)
- St. Mary Magdalene's Abbey, Magdeburg (Kloster Mariae Magdalenae, Magdeburg): Augustinian nuns (c 1230-shortly after 1524)
- St. Maurice's Abbey, Magdeburg (Mauritiuskloster or Moritzkloster, Magdeburg): Benedictine monks (937-not later than 963)
- St. Peter and Paul's Abbey (Kloster Sankt Peter und Paul, Magdeburg), Alte Neustadt: collegiate foundation (1200-in or before 1631)
- Franciscan friary, Magdeburg (1230-1542)
- MansfeldMansfeldMansfeld is a town in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Wipper, 10 km northwest of Eisleben....
:- Mansfeld Abbey (Kloster Mansfeld): Benedictine nuns (1229-1258; moved to Helfta)
- Hospital of St. John, Mansfeld (Johanniterhaus Mansfeld): Knights Hospitallers (dates tbe)
- Marienstuhl Abbey (Kloster Marienstuhl), EgelnEgelnEgeln is a town in the Salzlandkreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Bode, approx. 15 km northwest of Staßfurt, and 25 km southwest of Magdeburg....
: Cistercian nuns (1259-1809) - Memleben AbbeyMemleben AbbeyMemleben Abbey was a Benedictine monastery, now ruined, on the Unstrut in Memleben, in the Burgenlandkreis near Nebra in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.-History:The royal villa of Memleben acquired considerable importance under the Ottonian Dynasty...
(Kloster Memleben), MemlebenMemlebenMemleben is a village and a former municipality in the Burgenlandkreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 July 2009, it is part of the municipality Kaiserpfalz...
: Benedictine monks (975-1548)
- Michaelstein AbbeyMichaelstein AbbeyMichaelstein Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery, now the home of the Stiftung Kloster Michaelstein - Musikinstitut für Aufführungspraxis , near the town of Blankenburg in the Harz in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany.-History:In a deed of Emperor Otto I dated 956 giving property to...
(Kloster Michaelstein), near Blankenburg: Cistercian monks (1139-1543; moved here from the VolkmarskellerVolkmarskellerVolkmarskeller is the name of a cave that used to have a church next to it in the vicinity of Blankenburg in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.- History :...
); Lutheran community and school (1543-1808)
N
- Neuendorf Abbey (Kloster Neuendorf), Kloster NeuendorfKloster NeuendorfKloster Neuendorf is a village and a former municipality in the district Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 July 2009, it is part of the town Gardelegen....
near SalzwedelSalzwedelSalzwedel of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, and has a population of approximately 21,500. Salzwedel is located on the German Framework Road.-Geography:...
: Cistercian nuns (before 1232-1578); Lutheran women's collegiate foundation (Damenstift) (1578-nk) - Nienburg AbbeyNienburg AbbeyNienburg Abbey was a Benedictine monastery in Nienburg in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.- Abbey :Nienburg was for centuries on the extreme eastern edge of the settled territory of Germany...
(Kloster Nienburg), NienburgNienburgThere are two towns named Nienburg in Germany.*Nienburg, Lower Saxony*Nienburg, Saxony-AnhaltThe Name Nienburg means "Neue Burg" ....
: Benedictine monks (975-1563; moved here from Thankmarsfelde)
P
- Petersberg Abbey (Kloster Petersberg) near HalleHalle, Saxony-AnhaltHalle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
: Augustinian Canons (1124x1142-1565); recently re-occupied by a Lutheran community - Pforta Abbey (Kloster Pforta), PfortaPfortaPforta, or Schulpforta, is a former Cistercian monastery, Pforta Abbey , near Naumburg on the Saale River in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is now a celebrated German public boarding school, called Landesschule Pforta...
near NaumburgNaumburgNaumburg is a town in Germany, on the Saale River. It is in the district Burgenlandkreis in the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt. It is approximately southwest of Leipzig, south-southwest of Halle, and north-northeast of Jena....
: Cistercian monks (1137-1540; moved here from SchmöllnSchmöllnSchmölln is a town in the Thuringian, Germany, landkreis of Altenburger Land, and which lies on the river Sprotte.-Neighboring municipalities:...
); school from 1540 onwards (Landesschule Pforta) - Plötzky Abbey or Priory (Kloster Plötzky), PlötzkyPlötzkyPlötzky is a village and a former municipality in the district of Salzlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2009, it is part of the town Schönebeck....
: Cistercian nuns (early 13th century-1538) - Posa Abbey (Kloster Posa), ZeitzZeitzZeitz is a town in the Burgenlandkreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Weiße Elster, in the middle of the triangle of the federal states Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony.-History:...
: Benedictine monks (1114-nk) - Prettin, see Lichtenburg
Q
- QuedlinburgQuedlinburgQuedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
:- Quedlinburg AbbeyQuedlinburg AbbeyQuedlinburg Abbey was a house of secular canonesses in Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It was founded in 936 on the initiative of Saint Mathilda, the widow of Henry the Fowler, as his memorial...
(Stift Quedlinburg), QuedlinburgQuedlinburgQuedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
: secular canonesses (936-1540); Lutheran women's collegiate foundation (1540-1803) - St. Wipert's Priory, Quedlinburg (Stift St. Wiperti, Quedlinburg): canons (963-1148); Premonstratensians (1148-1539)
- Quedlinburg Abbey
R
- Roda or Rode, see Klosterrode
- Rohrbach Abbey or Priory (Kloster Rohrbach), Oberröblingen, SangerhausenSangerhausenSangerhausen is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, capital of the district of Mansfeld-Südharz, without being part of it.It is situated southeast of the Harz, approx. 35 km east of Nordhausen, and 50 km west of Halle...
: Cistercian nuns (13th century-1554)
S
- Schmölln Abbey (Kloster Schmölln), SchmöllnSchmöllnSchmölln is a town in the Thuringian, Germany, landkreis of Altenburger Land, and which lies on the river Sprotte.-Neighboring municipalities:...
: Benedictine monks (before 1066-c 1127); Cistercian monks (1127-1137x1140; moved to Pforta) - Sittichenbach AbbeySittichenbach AbbeySittichenbach Abbey , sometimes also known as Sichem Abbey, is a Cistercian monastery in Sittichenbach, now part of Osterhausen near Eisleben in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.-First foundation:...
(Kloster Sittichenbach), Sittichenbach, OsterhausenOsterhausenOsterhausen is a village and a former municipality in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2009, it is part of the town Eisleben....
: Cistercian monks (1141-1540); site returned to the Cistercians 1990, in use as a retreat centre
T
- Thankmarsfelde Abbey (Kloster Thankmarsfelde) near BallenstedtBallenstedtBallenstedt is a town in the Harz district, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is situated at the northern rim of the Harz mountain range, about 10 km southeast of Quedlinburg. The municipality includes the villages of Badeborn and Oppenrode...
: Benedictine monks (970-975; moved to Nienburg)
V
- Volkmarskeller, near Blankenburg: a cave with a church, used by hermits from no later than the 9th century; Cistercian monks (1146-1151x1167; moved to Michaelstein)
W
- Walbeck Priory (Stift Walbeck), WalbeckWalbeckWalbeck may refer to the following places in Germany:*Walbeck, Börde, a municipality in the Börde district, Saxony-Anhalt*Walbeck, Mansfeld-Südharz, a municipality in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, Saxony-Anhalt...
: canons (942-1591?) - Waldhusen Abbey (Kloster Waldhusen), ThaleThaleThale is a town in the Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Bode, approximately 8 km west of Quedlinburg. It is the terminus of the Magdeburg–Thale railway.- History :...
: secular canonesses (c 840-1540)
Z
- St. John's Friary, ZerbstZerbstZerbst is a town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Until the administrative reform of 2007, Zerbst was the capital of the Anhalt-Zerbst district. Since the 1 January 2010 local government reform, Zerbst has about 24,000 inhabitants.It is not clear when was it founded;...
: Franciscans (before 1246-1532; continued to the present as a school, the Francisceum, also known as the Johannesschule) - Zscheiplitz Abbey or Priory (Kloster Zscheiplitz), Zscheiplitz, Freyburg: Benedictine nuns (1089-nk: in private hands by 1723)
See also
- List of Christian religious houses in Brandenburg
- List of Christian religious houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- List of Christian religious houses in North Rhine-Westphalia
- List of Christian religious houses in Saxony
- List of Christian religious houses in Schleswig-Holstein