Uetersen Abbey

Heinrich II von Barmstede founded Uetersen Monastery in the 13th century, designating his property on the marshland for a spiritual foundation in 1234. He called twelve Cistercian nuns from Reinbek Monastery to this secluded location, known as the "uterst End" (outermost end) of his dominion. In 1424, a fire destroyed the first monastery church, which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint George. It was rebuilt in 1440. Through donations and acquisitions, the monastery's importance grew. It owned lands, a brickworks, a quarry, a fishery, and mills. The monastery's economic significance led to the settlement of artisans and traders, making it the nucleus of the town of Uetersen. In 1555, Christian III of Denmark intervened to enforce the Reformation.