Built as a monastery, later converted into a castle, burned down at the end of the Second World War and used again today: the Dargun monastery complex has an eventful history. The 850th anniversary will be celebrated at the weekend.
Dargun (dpa/mv) - The small town of Dargun in the Mecklenburg Lake District celebrates the 850th anniversary of its Cistercian monastery at the weekend. Only walls remain of the once mighty complex after it went up in flames at the end of the Second World War.
The three-day celebrations begin on Friday evening with a concert in the monastery church. On Saturday, a jubilee market on the forecourt attracts, among other things, with artisans, falconers and a historic carousel, as it was called. In addition, 850 portions of Dargun cheese are to be sold for a good cause. Guided tours through the monastery and palace complex as well as lectures in the monastery church have also been announced. On Sunday there will be a service at the end, with the bishop for the Mecklenburg and Pomeranian district of the North Church, Tilman Jeremias, preaching.
Built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks, the monastery was converted into a castle after the Reformation. After the devastating fire at the end of the Second World War, the complex continued to deteriorate in the decades that followed. Since 1990 it has been secured, renovated and made accessible to visitors. The church ruins received a roof again in 2002 and can thus again be used for events regardless of the weather.
