Stolpe Abbey

Stolpe Abbey is the ruined remains of a medieval Benedictine monastery on the southern bank of the Peene River between Gützkow and Anklam. The site displays romanesque architectural elements and the layout of a religious community that once served as a regional center.

The monastery was founded in 1153 and was the first religious establishment of its kind in Pomerania, marking an important moment in the region's development. Over time it became connected to monastic centers in distant territories and grew as an intellectual network.

The site served as an important center for learning and manuscript work in the region, where monks copied books and maintained religious texts. This scholarly activity made the monastery a place where knowledge was preserved and shared.

The ruins are freely accessible outdoors and can be visited at any time, with interpretative panels on site explaining the structures. Visitors should expect uneven ground and wear appropriate footwear, especially in wet weather.

The monastery exercised religious and administrative authority over distant abbeys in present-day Estonia, showing how far its influence extended across northern Europe. This connection reveals how early medieval communities maintained networks across vast distances.

Location: Stolpe an der Peene

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture in Poland

GPS coordinates: 53.87325,13.56144

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:05