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Kloster Kamp

This Cistercian monastery was the first in the German-speaking world

Kamp-Lintfort, Germany

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soerendietz01
A view of the former monastery at Kloster Kamp.   soerendietz01 / Atlas Obscura User
A view of the former monastery at Kloster Kamp.   soerendietz01 / Atlas Obscura User
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Built around 1150, Kamp Monastery was the first Cistercian monastery in German territory. Over its hundreds of years, the monastery has been destroyed multiple times. Wars, fires, and in 1504, a strong earthquake all decimated the buildings. Despite all these hardships, the monastery was always rebuilt.

By 1807, the monastery was no longer in use for religious purposes. The properties were auctioned off and most of the buildings were demolished or rebuilt. The lands passed to the peasants.

Today, only the abbey church and two other buildings of the former monastery remain. The monastery gardens were rebuilt from 1980 to 1991, recreated from a copper engraving dating back to the middle of the 18th century.

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Monks Monasteries

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You can visit not only the monastery itself, but also the monastery gardens, preferably in fine weather. Also of interest is the museum opposite the monastery. 

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soerendietz01

Published

April 8, 2025

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