Kloster Loccum

A visit to the monastic house, built in 1163, proves the motto and allows the guest to travel back in time. Unique in its effect, it still gives the impression of a medieval Cistercian monastery. On the other hand, the beautiful surroundings with ponds and forest owe their effect to the hydraulic engineering of the Cistercians and the landscaping of the beginning of the 19th century. The monastery was founded by twelve young monks from Thuringia and their abbot. At that time, the brothers and sisters wanted to live in seclusion in poverty, solely from the work of their hands, also as a protest against the splendour of the church. Their church was not supposed to be a cathedral, but a simple house of prayer. The sparse and geometric shape of the building reflects the Cistercians' sense of austerity and simplicity. The monastery complex is largely unchanged; In addition to the dining hall and library, the cloister and the monastery church are particularly noteworthy. The latter offers a variety of valuable art objects (reliquaries, choir stalls) and is also often the venue for excellent concerts. The collegiate church of Mary and George is still the church of the monastery and at the same time the parish church. The church is also open to guests during the summer months outside of the guided tours. The cloister and other sights can be seen during a 60-minute guided tour for a fee. In addition to books, goods from all over the world are also available in the monastery parlour - for example tea, coffee and cake. This is also where the pilgrimage routes Loccum-Volkenroda and Loccum-Mariensee-Loccum begin. It is also located on the Sigwardsweg pilgrimage route. The monastery, which was founded in the deepest (and swampy) solitude at the time, is still very much alive today in several respects: In addition to the conference venue, the monastery houses a Protestant seminary for preachers, and it also serves as an internationally known venue for specialist conferences.