Museum Kloster Zeven

About the museum

Around 961, under Emperor Otto I, a women's community was founded in Heeslingen; in 1141 it was moved to Zeven and lived there according to the Benedictine rule. Usually there were about 20 nuns, and in prosperous times up to 50. The convent was dedicated to Saint Vitus and received relics from Corvey in 1231. The complex included farm buildings, an outlying farm, a brewhouse, a gatehouse, an infirmary, a parsonage, as well as gardens and fishponds.

After the Thirty Years' War, Swedish Queen Christina granted the monastery estate to General Count Douglas, who had the neighboring Königin-Christinen-Haus built. The community was dissolved; the last Zeven nun died in 1694. Later, the buildings served as a courthouse, school, adult education center (Volkshochschule), library and residence.

After a comprehensive restoration, the museum opened in 1988. The permanent exhibition presents a panorama of prehistory, with finds from the Old Stone Age to the Iron Age, medieval finds in the Romanesque vaulted cellar from the 12th century, a coin hoard of 585 silver coins, Zeven Art Deco porcelain, vessels from the oldest Zeven pharmacy from 1782, 19th-century costumes and the collection of local researcher Hans Müller-Brauel.

Highlights

• Heeslingen coin hoard with 585 silver coins
• Romanesque vaulted cellar from the 12th century
• Zeven Art Deco porcelain from the 1920s
• Fittings of the oldest Zeven pharmacy from 1782
• Collection of local researcher Hans Müller-Brauel
• Hands-on Stone Age station

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung Kloster und Stadtgeschichte – Prehistory, vaulted cellar, coin hoard, Zeven porcelain, old pharmacy, costumes and the collection of Hans Müller-Brauel.

Founded

1988

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Guided tours for school classes are free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children can try out stone tools and grind grain at the Stone Age station; there is also a museum scavenger hunt and scriptorium workshops with medieval writing tools.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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