Kloster Hiddensee

Kloster Hiddensee is a monastery complex on Insel Hiddensee comprising a church building, manor house, and rectory situated within the hilly terrain of Dornbusch. The structures form a unified site connected to walking paths that extend across the island landscape.

The monastery was founded in 1296 as a Cistercian house dedicated to Saint Nicholas, and continued operating until the last abbot departed in 1536. This departure coincided with the Reformation period that reshaped religious life across the region.

The island church displays a rare artwork with over 1200 hand-painted roses decorating the wooden ceiling, created in 1922 by Berlin artist Max Nikolaus Niemeier. This ornamental detail makes the interior a special place where artistic craft and faith come together.

The site is easily accessible by walking trails that also lead to elevated viewpoints such as Swantiberg, offering views toward the Baltic Sea. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the island is most accessible.

Nobel laureate Gerhart Hauptmann is buried in front of the church, creating a link between literary history and the site's religious heritage. His presence here demonstrates how the island attracted notable figures from the cultural world.

Location: Insel Hiddensee

Inception: 1296

GPS coordinates: 54.58580,13.10970

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:27