Wienhausen Abbey

The Monastery is a former Cistercian Wienhausen, today evangelical convent from the 13th century. It is located in Lower Saxony Wienhausen and is managed by the monastery Hanover Chamber.

Description

This historic monastery ensemble is largely preserved. East of the church are water mill and farm buildings. To the north, at right angles added to the church, the convent building: in the medieval West, whose pediment the visitor catches the eye with the west gable of the church first, and the post-Reformation half-timbered building in the East; between the two-storey cloister in the style of Brick Gothic. The church consists of the old Roman Archdeaconry ( whose tower was demolished in the Cistercian monastery was founded in accordance with rule) and the west mounted on it high Gothic monastery church of the nuns' choir upstairs and the pilgrim's hall on the ground floor. The two parts of the building are now separated by a wooden wall and be used separately.

Completed in the 14th century nuns' choir is one of the most remarkable preserved Gothic sacred spaces. The ceiling and walls are everywhere painted with biblical images and ornaments. Shown are, among others, the creation story, the life and death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection and reign in the heavenly Jerusalem. 1952 oak planks were removed under the pews of the nuns to lay electric cables. In this work, rare and precious everyday objects were found, including Nietbrillen from the 14th and 15th centuries as well as cult objects, which can be attributed to both Christian and pagan beliefs.

Wienhausen is known for its collection of valuable Gothic tapestries from the 14th and 15th centuries, which can be seen every year on the Friday after Pentecost in a special exhibition. The carpets show both Christian and secular themes; shown are for example the Tristan legend, several saints stories (Thomas, Anna and Elizabeth ) and the mirror of human salvation. The living in the monastery Konventualinnen maintain the numerous art treasures and offer guided tours. Since 2000, the carpets and the finds can be seen from the nuns' choir during the season with multilingual audio guides ( German, English, French and Spanish). Guided tours of the monastery offered on request in English, French, Spanish and German Platt.

History

The monastery was founded in 1230 by Agnes of Landsberg about 15 km from Celle in Vienna Hausen an der Aller. According to the Vienna homes Chronicle, there were already a few kilometers from a monastery, which was then transferred to a wetland to Vienna Hausen because of its location. Can not be safely occupied the though.

1233 the monastery was founded in Vienna houses of Bishop Conrad II was officially confirmed and assigned him the location there since the mid-11th century Archdeaconry with all lands and tithes in several villages. The nuns in the convent lived according to the rules of the Cistercians.

From 1528 led Duke Ernest of Brunswick- Lüneburg the Reformation in his duchy a. The monastery was - turned into a Lutheran woman Convention - against the resistance of the nuns. 1531 broke the Duke by demolition of the provost and all bands ( with the exception of All Saints ) and by collection of Propsteiguts the opposition of the Catholic nuns. The destroyed buildings were rebuilt in the half-timbered style 19 years later. 1555 Lüneburg monastic rule was adopted. 1587 the first Protestant abbess was officially used.

It is reported that for many years to Catholic services were held in secret.

Pictures

  • Nuns' choir (mid-19th century)
  • Tristan carpet
  • Convent building ( south gable ) and church ( west gable )
  • Convent building and Church of the monastery Park
  • Watermill and outbuildings
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