Medingen Abbey

Medingen Abbey is a Protestant monastery and museum in Bad Bevensen that combines neoclassical architecture with historical structures. The complex includes St. Mauritius Church as its central building, with residential and service structures arranged around maintained courtyards and gardens.

The monastery was founded in 1201 and developed over centuries as an important center for Benedictine women in the north. In the 16th century it transformed into a Protestant institution during the Reformation, navigating internal conflicts that arose during this transition.

The name Medingen refers to the land shaped by the Ilmenau River, which has defined this place for centuries. Visitors can see spaces where religious life and craftwork existed side by side in daily practice.

The monastery can be visited with knowledgeable tours that provide a good overview of the rooms and art collections. Visitors should check opening times beforehand and be prepared for stone paths and stairs in older buildings.

The complex is still home to about 14 Protestant sisters who live and work according to a shared rule of life. This means the monastery remains not just a museum but a place where communal Christian life is actually practiced today.