Kulturhistorisches Museum Prenzlau

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Dominican monastery in Prenzlau, which arose from 1275 onward, alongside the Franciscan monastery and a nunnery, as one of the town's religious centers. The east wing is the oldest part; by the middle of the 14th century the entire cloister walk had been vaulted. In 1543/44 the monastery was secularized and passed to the town, which used it as, among other things, an almshouse, hospital, prison, infirmary and retirement home.

Because the complex came through the destruction of Prenzlau in April 1945 unscathed, it remained fully intact. After 1990 the building fabric was secured and restored. Today the monastery is among the best-preserved complexes of the 13th and 14th centuries in northeastern Germany, and alongside the museum it houses the town archive and the town library.

The exhibition shows medieval objects with a focus on sacred sculptures, important archaeological finds from the Seehausen monastery, and evidence of legal history, such as the severed oath hands of two mayors. Other themes include guilds, the garrison town of Prenzlau and the 19th century. A separate area is devoted to the landscape painter Jakob Philipp Hackert and to Queen Friederike Luise, the Prussian queen born in Prenzlau.

Highlights

• Gothic monastery complex with cloister and refectory featuring wall paintings
• Medieval sacred sculptures
• Archaeological finds from Seehausen monastery
• Area on Jakob Philipp Hackert and Queen Friederike Luise
• Restored north wing of the cloister in steel and glass

Permanent exhibitions

• Kulturgeschichte der Region – Medieval sacred sculpture, finds from Seehausen monastery, legal history, guilds and the history of the garrison town of Prenzlau.
• Jakob Philipp Hackert und Friederike Luise – A separate area is devoted to the landscape painter Hackert, who came from Prenzlau, and to the later Prussian queen born there.

Operated by

Stadt Prenzlau (Dominikanerkloster – Kulturzentrum und Museum)

Director

Dr. Stephan Diller (Leiter Dominikanerkloster)

Admission & discounts

With the wbg KulturCard, "2 for 1" applies; only new wbg members and subscribers have free admission.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children's audio guide and a quiz tour for exploring the museum; project days for school groups.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A11 (exit Gramzow/Prenzlau) or the A20 (exit Prenzlau East or South), then the B198 and B109. Address: Uckerwiek 813, 17291 Prenzlau.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Wi-Fi

KlosterCafé in the former sacristy: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00 (October to April from 11:00), closed Mondays; outdoor seating by the monastery garden; free Wi-Fi in the café.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Rooms for weddings and rentals; inquiries to the administration of the Dominican monastery.

Plan your visit