Loccum Monastery

Founded in 1163, Loccum Abbey stands as one of the most authentic and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in northern Germany. A visit to this remarkable monastery feels like travelling back in time – its harmony, simplicity and silence still reflect the contemplative spirit of its founders. Surrounded by ponds and woodland shaped by medieval water engineering and 19th-century landscaping, the abbey exudes both tranquillity and historical depth. Twelve young monks from Thuringia once sought solitude here, leading lives of poverty and prayer, far from worldly splendour. Their architectural legacy embodies the Cistercian ideal of clarity and restraint: austere lines, balanced geometry and timeless beauty. Much of the complex remains unchanged – highlights include the refectory, the library, the cloister and the abbey church “Maria und Georg”, which houses precious artworks such as a medieval reliquary and intricately carved choir stalls. The church also serves as a venue for outstanding concerts and remains an active place of worship. Loccum Abbey is not a monument frozen in time. Today it hosts a Protestant seminary, conferences and international symposia, offering a vibrant meeting point between spirituality, scholarship and culture. As part of the European network “Cistercian Landscapes”, the abbey carries the European Heritage Label. Pilgrimage routes such as the Loccum–Volkenroda Trail begin here, inviting exploration through a landscape where centuries of faith and culture intertwine.