Neuzelle Abbey
Neuzelle Abbey is a
History
The Abbey was founded as Nova Cella in 1268 by
Neuzelle was rebuilt around 1500. It survived during
In 1817, with the
Today the complex of Neuzelle Abbey is held by a public foundation run by the state of Brandenburg.[2][3]
Architecture
Neuzelle is a Baroque style abbey, which is up to this day an oddity in Brandenburg, an area mainly dominated by Gothic churches. Neuzelle Abbey was first built and renovated in Gothic style. Gothic elements of the original building still can be found in the cloister and enclosure such as cross-ribbed structures, sculptures, corbel decoration and late medieval paintings.
The Baroque redesigning of the abbey commenced in 1650. The enclosure buildings, the church and the administrative building – with its “Princely wing” – are located to the north of the central courtyard. Extending to the west is the arcade, with the entrance portal and the foundation registry. The “coach stalls” are located in the south, while the cloister garden extends to the east. The foundation church and the “peoples’ church”, both displaying South German and Bohemian Baroque styles, represented the new significance of the abbey in the 18th century.
An altar at the Neuzelle abbey church is dedicated to John of Nepomuk (John Ne-pomucene), Archbishop of Prague. The Infant Jesus from the church Santa Maria de Victoria in Prague is considered to have provided the model for the altar of the Divine Infant at the Neuzelle abbey church.
A Baroque garden was established at Neuzelle Abbey in 1760. The abbey‘s location provided the opportunity for an elongated terraced garden, which provides manifold views of the geometrically designed garden area and of the expanse of the Oder river meadows as well as of the abbey grounds.
The restoration of the historical abbey is scheduled to be largely completed by the time of the Neuzelle Abbey's 750th anniversary in 2018.[4]
References
- ^ "New Liturgical Movement: Neuzelle Abbey". newliturgicalmovement.org. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
- ^ "Neuzelle Cistercian Monastery – The Brandenburg baroque miracle, Neuzelle - brandenburg-tourism.com". brandenburg-tourism.com. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
- ^ "Neuzelle - Klosterland". klosterland.de. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
- ^ "Stiftung Stift Neuzelle". stift-neuzelle.de. Retrieved 2016-10-20.