Beschreibung
The oldest monastery in the Mark Brandenburg is the former Cistercian monastery of Lehnin. It was founded in 1180 by Margrave Otto I of Brandenburg. The monastery church is an outstanding example of early North German brook stone architecture. The eastern part is built in the Romanesque style. The western part was built in the early Gothic style. Towards the end of the 12th century, Margrave Otto I ordered the construction of the monastery. It was not until 1262 that all the construction work on the monastery complex was completed and it was solemnly consecrated by the Archbishop of Magdeburg and the Bishop of Havelberg. The monastery was always occupied by monks until 1543. With the death of the last abbot, Valentin, the last monks left the monastery. In the middle of the 17th century, the Great Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg had the west wing of the former monastery converted into a hunting lodge. It became the summer residence of the Elector and his first wife, Luise-Henriette of Orange. From the 18th century onwards, several buildings of the former monastery remained unused and fell into disrepair. Around 1800, the monastery church was also in ruins. However, the eastern part of the church building was preserved and used for church services by the growing congregation. In 1859, the monastery ruins were thoroughly examined and researched in order to draw up plans for its restoration. Between 1871 and 1877, the monastery church was reconstructed according to historical models and rededicated. Since July 1911, the Luise-Henrietten-Stift, a diaconal institution, has been located on the monastery grounds. Since then, the convent church has been used as a parish church and venue for concerts.
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