Kloster Michaelstein

About the museum

The monastery goes back to a foundation in 1139; in 1146 Cistercian monks from Kloster Kamp moved in. From modest beginnings it grew into an economically successful abbey with extensive landholdings and numerous fish ponds. The Reformation ended monastic life in 1543; afterwards a monastery school existed until 1721, and in the early 18th century Duke Ludwig Rudolf had extensive building work carried out.

Until the 20th century the cloister buildings served economic and residential purposes. After World War II, the first preservation work began; in 1968 the first concert took place in the restored refectory. The cultural and research center founded in 1977 developed into a center for historical musical instruments and historical performance practice; the first instrument exhibitions followed in 1988, and the monastery gardens in the 1990s.

Today the monastery belongs to the Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt and houses a museum and a music academy. The museum combines monastery rooms around the cloister, two gardens with around 260 medicinal herbs and about 100 vegetable varieties, and the interactive music exhibition "KlangZeitRaum" with the reconstructed music machine of 1615.

Highlights

• Cloister, refectory and chapter house of a Cistercian abbey
• Herb and vegetable garden based on medieval models
• Music exhibition "KlangZeitRaum" with sound and light installation
• Music machine after Salomon de Caus (reconstruction from 1998)
• Concerts and music academy on site

Permanent exhibitions

• KlangZeitRaum – Dem Geheimnis der Musik auf der Spur – Interactive music exhibition with instruments from four centuries, a sound and light installation on the Christmas Oratorio, and the music machine of Salomon de Caus.
• KlosterRäume – Tour through the cloister, refectory and chapter house of the former Cistercian abbey and through the farmyard.
• Klostergärten: Entwicklung – Nutzung – Symbolik – Exhibition in the former monks' hall on gardening, herbal medicine and diet in the monastery, complemented by the herb and vegetable garden.

Operated by

Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt

Director

Peter Grunwald

Admission & discounts

Buy tickets online in advance if possible. Holders of a free-ticket entitlement can get a free ticket in the online shop and show their entitlement at the entrance. An overview of reduced rates is available as a PDF on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The monastery and grounds are only partly barrier-free; the house is certified in the "Reisen für Alle" program. Dogs are not allowed in the buildings or gardens.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Educational program "KlostERleben" with Brother Grabolin and the cat Michel, a puzzle sheet for the music exhibition, a garden rally, family tours and holiday workshops; experiment stations in the music exhibition.

Getting there & parking

Travel via the A36, exit "Blankenburg Zentrum", or via the B81, and follow the signs. With the HATIX (tourist tax booklet), bus travel is free for Harz visitors; the Sachsen-Anhalt-Ticket is valid.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Hotel and inn "Zum weißen Mönch" in the monastery courtyard; monastery shop with plants, seeds, honey from the herb garden, books and gifts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 300 guests.

11 seminar rooms from 25 to 400 m²; refectory with 199 seats and music barn with 300 seats for concerts. Conference enquiries via the hotel and inn "Zum weißen Mönch" (phone 03944 3671-452); rehearsals via the music academy (phone 03944 9030-29).

Plan your visit