Wittenburg Abbey

Wittenburg Monastery was founded between 1316 and 1328 as a priory of Augustinian Canons Regular. It was dedicated to Mary and developed into an important religious center in the region. The foundation took place at a strategically favorable location, previously occupied by the eponymous Wittenburg Castle. In the 16th century, the monastery experienced a decline and was eventually secularized between 1564 and 1588. Subsequently, it served as the seat of the Calenbergian office of Wittenburg and later as a domain.

The monastery complex is situated on Klosterberg (Monastery Hill), a southern spur of the Finie ridge, in the district of Hildesheim. The site is located at an elevation of approximately 138 meters above sea level. The Finie is a small chain of hills northwest of Elze, covered with dense woodland.

Of the former monastery complex, the impressive Gothic monastery church from 1497, the ruin of a Gothic utility building, and parts of the monastery wall are still preserved today. The former monastery church, a long single-nave building, has served as a parish church since the 16th century. The western part of the church, formerly reserved for lay brothers, has been used for cultural events such as concerts and exhibitions since 2003. The entire architectural ensemble is a protected monument.

• Wülfinghausen Monastery (Monastery, approx. 2833 m away)
• Elze Manor House (Manor and Estate House, approx. 3427 m away)
• Poppenburg Castle (Castle, approx. 4321 m away)
• Augustinian Nuns' Monastery Eldagsen (Marienthal) (Monastery, approx. 4476 m away)