Kloster Lehnin: Monastery History, Church and Monastery Lake

Kloster Lehnin can be explored through two very different themes: the history of the Cistercian monastery and the waterside landscape around Monastery Lake. The monastery church and museum offer insights into the monastery complex; the circular trail, lido and Auenpark each focus on water and landscape in their own way. Culture, activities by the water and a walk through the floodplain landscape are therefore the different options at the heart of a visit.

Monastery complex: history and architecture

Kloster Lehnin was founded in 1180 as the first Cistercian foundation in the Margraviate of Brandenburg. It served as the house monastery and burial place of the Ascanian and Hohenzollern dynasties. These two roles bring the history of the order and dynastic remembrance together in one place; the buildings add striking architecture to this historical perspective.

The St. Mary’s Monastery Church is especially striking: it is considered an outstanding example of early North German brick architecture. Its Romanesque east end comprises the choir, choir house and one bay of the nave; the western part transitions into the Early Gothic style. Visitors interested in architecture can distinguish between two design phases in this building.

The monastery museum is housed in the Baroque Amtshaus on the former farmyard of the monastery complex. Its permanent exhibition explores life and work in the complex through the centuries, from the medieval Cistercian monastery to the present-day work of a diaconal organization. The exhibition thus complements the architectural perspective with themes of everyday life and work. Access to the museum may change during construction work.

The monastery church is also a venue for concerts in the Lehnin Summer Music series. If you would like to plan your stay around a concert, check the latest dates separately.

Monastery Lake and outdoor trails

Monastery Lake extends from Lehnin in the south to the district of Nahmitz in the north. It covers 38 hectares and is about four meters deep. Via the Emster, it is connected to Netzener See and then to Rietzer See. Its size, approximate depth and the named connections describe the lake from different perspectives.

The 7.2-kilometer Monastery Lake circular trail starts and ends at the market square by the Peace Oak in the district of Lehnin, in front of the Kloster-Café. The distance gives you a practical reference point for planning your day. At Monastery Lake, the Lehnin lido offers a climbing area, beach volleyball, table tennis, a playground, a water slide, a sandy beach, swimming and non-swimming areas, a jetty and lifeguard supervision. Facilities may vary by season; check current operating information before your trip.

The Klosterauenpark is on the opposite side of the lake from the sculpture park at Monastery Lake. A winding path takes visitors through the floodplain landscape; the park covers about 3.5 hectares. It offers a different landscape experience from the lido or the circular trail.

Plan your journey and stay

Bus routes 580, 550, 553 and 554 connect the Lehnin bus station with Bad Belzig, Potsdam, Groß Kreutz and Brandenburg. Routes and timetables may change; check with VBB before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Borkheide, Caputh, Groß Kreutz, Bensdorf, Golm, Werder An Der Havel, Wollin, Beetzsee.

Return to the regional travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.