St. Pauli Monastery
Description
St. Pauli Monastery is a former Dominican monastery located in the Neustadt district of Brandenburg an der Havel. Today, it houses the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum.
After the Ascanian margraves left their castle on Brandenburg Cathedral Island, they built a new residence in Neustadt Brandenburg. In 1286, Margrave Otto V donated the residence to the Dominicans, who began constructing the monastery that same year. The church choir is the oldest part, while the hall church and surrounding buildings were completed around 100 years later. The church was initially dedicated to Saints Andrew and Mary Magdalene, later rededicated in 1384 to the Three Magi and St. Paul.
With the Reformation, the monastery ceased to function as a Catholic institution. It was converted for Protestant use and repurposed as a hospital and nursing home. In 1945, a fire during the Soviet conquest severely damaged the complex. By 1958, parts of the structure collapsed due to lack of preservation.
Plans to restore the monastery began in the 1960s but only materialized after 2002. Modern utilities were integrated into the original structure using traditional materials. The church vaults were not rebuilt. In 2008, the Archaeological State Museum officially opened.
Chancel Window
The chancel window, dating from the 13th century, is one of Germany’s oldest stained-glass windows. Removed during WWII and stored elsewhere, it was returned and restored in 2008. The window contains 36 panels, 22 of which depict biblical typologies linking Old and New Testament stories. Original and restored panels are distinguishable by corrosion levels.
Monastery Cemetery
In 1995, about 500 graves were discovered from the Pauli cemetery, in use from 1583 to 1795. Skeletal remains showed signs of poor nutrition and widespread dental disease. Most buried were elderly adults, with a higher number of elderly women than men.
Address
Neustädtische Heidestraße 28, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
Established
1286