Stift Obernkirchen

About the museum

Stift Obernkirchen goes back to a charter issued by the Bishop of Minden on February 10, 1167, by which an existing community of pious women was organized as an Augustinian canonesses' foundation. The women took no vows and lived comparatively independently. With the foundation's extensive property came market rights for the village; in the 13th century a pilgrimage developed around a Marian statue in the Stiftskirche.

After a fire, the church was rebuilt in the 14th century as a Gothic hall church and consecrated in 1355. In the 15th century the entire complex was expanded to its present form. After the Reformation, the foundation was converted into a Protestant noble ladies' foundation, headed since then by an abbess. In 1810 it was dissolved under King Jérôme, but restored in 1814. Legal supervision today lies with the Klosterkammer Hannover.

From 1901 until the early 1970s, the Reifensteiner Verband used the vacant west wing for a rural women's school (Landfrauenschule). An exhibition, together with a women's place (Frauenort) for Agnes von Dincklage, now commemorates this. In its layout, the complex largely corresponds to a classic 12th-century monastery, and Stiftsdamen still live here today.

Highlights

• Almost unchanged Stift complex following the layout of a 12th-century monastery
• Gothic Stiftskirche St. Marien with women's gallery ("Prieche")
• Gravestone slabs in the cloister
• Exhibition on the rural women's school of the Reifensteiner Verband and women's place for Agnes von Dincklage
• Stift garden, accessible on guided tours

Permanent exhibition

• Landfrauenschulen des Reifensteiner Verbandes und Frauenort Agnes von Dincklage – The exhibition shows the history of the rural women's school, which was housed in the west wing of the Stift from 1901 to 1970, and honors its long-time head, Agnes von Dincklage.

Operated by

Stift Obernkirchen (Klosterkammer Hannover als Rechtsaufsicht)

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car via the A 2 (exit Bad Eilsen) or the B 65. Taxi: Buchholz +49 5722 1515, Abel +49 5724 972020.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The west wing offers event rooms with a fully equipped kitchen, terrace, garden and overnight accommodation. Civil weddings are possible in several rooms (registration via the Standesamt of the city of Obernkirchen).

Plan your visit