Monastery Rühn

Monastery Rühn is a 12th-century Benedictine community in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with a flat-roofed hall church showing late Romanesque design. An 18th-century tower with nesting spaces for kestrels and owls marks the skyline of the complex.

It was founded in 1232 by Cistercian nuns and became a Lutheran noblewomen's collegiate foundation after the Reformation in the late 16th century. This transformation shaped the site through the centuries that followed.

The monastery takes its name from the surrounding settlement and remains a spiritual landmark for the region. Visitors can sense how religious community life once shaped the daily routine and character of this location.

Wear respectful clothing when visiting this religious site, and bring sturdy shoes for exploring the full grounds. The location is best reached by car, as public transportation connections are limited in this rural area.

The site is part of the European Route of Brick Gothic, linking major medieval brick structures across northern Europe. This connection reveals how local architecture fits into a broader cultural network.