The area around Berlin is not exactly characterized by many religious buildings. Although we find some special palaces and castles from the imperial era, monasteries are usually more reminiscent of southern Germany. However, there is one significant exception: Neuzelle Monastery is often referred to as the “Baroque wonder of Brandenburg. “ It is one of the largest Baroque and art monuments in eastern and northern Germany. With its significant architecture, it is one of the few examples of magnificent Bavarian-Bohemian Baroque in northern Germany and an artistic masterpiece that continues to fascinate visitors to this day.
A monastery of love that withstood the Reformation
Neuzelle Abbey was founded in 1268 by Margrave Heinrich the Illustrious of the House of Wettin. The nobleman with the beautiful name had a very specific intention: he wanted to erect a memorial to his late wife Agnes. For centuries, the abbey belonged to the Cistercians. It even survived the Reformation. A truly remarkable feature is that Neuzelle survived the Reformation as a Catholic island in a Protestant environment. It was not until 1817 that the monastery was secularized by the Prussian state.
Today, the monastery grounds are an impressive blend of architecture, art, and horticulture: St. Mary’s Collegiate Church was originally a Gothic hall church. It was radically baroquized in the 17th and 18th centuries by Italian and Bohemian masters. That is why it is so beautiful to look at today. Here you will find stucco, ceiling paintings, and a monumental high altar.
The monastery garden is the only Baroque garden in Brandenburg that has been reconstructed according to its historical model. It extends over five terraces and offers a wide view of the Oder valley. Theheavenly theater is also a unique feature worldwide. These are late Baroque Passion plays that depict the suffering of Christ in stage-like scenes. They are presented in a museum building specially constructed for this purpose.
Neuzelle Monastery today: yoga among monastic culture
Photo: Unsplash
Neuzelle Monastery began a new chapter in 2018: exactly 200 years after its dissolution, Cistercian monks from Heiligenkreuz Abbey in Austria returned. They founded the Neuzelle Priory. As the historic monastery grounds now belong to a state foundation and are used for tourism and cultural purposes, the monks are currently planning to build a new monastery in the nearby district of Treppeln.
A visit to Neuzelle is a must-see for the architectural highlights mentioned above, but you will also be well catered for in terms of cuisine. The café in the Baroque garden is open for you during the summer months. The monastery is also regularly used as a venue for various events. Visit the monastery museum, take a torchlight tour, or do yoga in the monastery garden. The event calendar is well filled!