Magdalenenstift Abbey

The Magdalenenstift is a cultural monument in the center of the Skat city of Altenburg and the seat of the ecclesiastical foundation "Ev.-Luth. Magdalenenstift".

Founding

In 1665, Duke Friedrich Wilhelm II wanted to provide for his wife Magdalena Sibylle of Saxony and have a particularly beautiful widow's residence built for her in Altenburg. His choice fell on the small hill opposite the castle. Magdalene, when she was old, should always have the castle in sight. In the same year, the entire property was staked out and the construction of the foundations of the square castle began. And then the incomprehensible happened: The young Duchess Magdalene Sybilla died on January 6, 1668. With her death, all further construction stopped, and the unfinished building was used as a granary.

In 1702, Henriette Catharina von Gersdorff, a faithful Lutheran and convinced Pietist, approached Duke Friedrich II of Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg with a request for support for the establishment of an Evangelical-Lutheran women's convent. There, noble "Capitularinnen", who were unprovided-for women, were to live, and noble children were to be taught and educated in the evangelical spirit. The prince unhesitatingly supported the plans and gave the convent its present land. In 1703, the completion of the building began. On December 4, 1705, the church bells rang in Altenburg, and the inauguration of the convent was solemnly celebrated. The foundation has had an uninterrupted tradition ever since.

The Work of the Convent since 1705

Since 1705, the Magdalenenstift served for over two centuries as a boarding school and girls' school for young noble ladies in the spirit of an evangelical education. To be admitted as a convent lady, the girls had to be 7 years old, and education was possible until the age of 17. The three-class instruction and education were provided by the convent pastors, teachers from the city, and noble ladies employed by the convent.

The building ensemble was expanded step by step: In 1708, the burial chapel was built, in 1710/11 a first rectory, in 1820 the ladies' house, in 1866/67 the new rectory, in 1870/71 the convent church, in 1878 the connecting house, in 1890/91 the northeast wing, and in 1898 the gymnasium, which was extended by another floor in 1911.

In 1938, the school operations were dissolved by the National Socialists. From then on, the convent was only a boarding school. Maria von Wedemeyer also lived here for a time during the war. From 1946, the convent housed the Altenburg Bible Society, which was dissolved in 1992, and from 1948 to 1960, a seminar for the training of catechists.

With the establishment of a kindergarten in 1958 and the construction of the blind home in 1961, a new era began in the convent. In 1970, the boarding school was dissolved, and 2 years later, the last provost Elisabeth Börger was bid farewell. However, an association of former convent children still exists today.

The Foundation Today

Today, the Magdalenenstift is a social center with diverse diaconal-social tasks. Between 1999 and 2003, the entire building ensemble was fundamentally renovated, creating a connection between historic ambiance and modern functionality.

The foundation combines aid and services for people of all ages in facilities for child and youth welfare, as well as senior and disabled care in the Altenburger Land. On December 4, 2005, the foundation celebrated its 300th anniversary.