Walsrode Abbey

Walsrode Abbey was founded as a canonesses' collegiate church between 958 and 969, though the exact year is unknown. Its first documented mention dates back to 986. Dedicated to John the Baptist, the abbey adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict in 1255. After a devastating fire in 1482, caused by lightning, significant parts of the collegiate church were rebuilt in the Late Gothic style. The conversion to the Lutheran faith began in 1528 during the Reformation and was completed by 1570. Since then, the abbey has functioned as an Evangelical women's foundation. In 1626, it was plundered during the Thirty Years' War. Around 1700, the severely dilapidated buildings were demolished and replaced with new structures on the original foundations. Between 1812 and 1815, the convent was dissolved during the Napoleonic occupation. From 1980 onwards, the restriction to noblewomen was lifted, allowing women of common birth to be admitted. Due to its eventful history, most of the existing buildings date from the 18th century, such as the Long House from 1720. Surviving artifacts include the chapel windows from the post-1482 reconstruction, an almost life-sized figure of the founder Walo from around 1300, and an approximately 500-year-old clothed wooden figure of the Christ Child (Bambino).