Barsinghausen Monastery

The monastery

In 1193, two nobles founded a double Augustinian monastery on the fief of the Bishop of Minden, where monks and nuns lived side by side. By the early 13th century, it had become a convent exclusively for women, which was converted into a Protestant convent in 1543. It was once very wealthy, with estates in more than 80 localities. The current convent buildings were constructed between 1700 and 1704.
The convent is a place of silence and prayer, of proclamation and pastoral care, of contemplation, hospitality, communal life, and the preservation of cultural heritage. 

The monastery opens its doors especially to individual guests who, due to the challenges they face in life and their spiritual questions, are seeking a place of silence, prayer, and spiritual guidance. The monastic rhythm of “Ora et labora”—pray and work—is always central to our life here: We invite our guests to join us in the Liturgy of the Hours and to help with tasks in the monastery and its gardens. 

Since 2014, the monastery has also been home to the regional church organization inspiratio, which offers full-time church employees the opportunity to take a guided retreat. 

Several times a year, the Calenberger Cultour & Co association performs chamber concerts in the Convent Hall. The performers are students and young musicians from the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media. Much of the monastery is not wheelchair accessible.