Katharinenkloster: Stralsund's Monastery & Museums
Admire the impressive brick Gothic facade of Katharinenkloster from Mönchstraße, marking its long history as a prominent medieval monastery. Anchoring the western side of Stralsund's old town, the complex stands as a cornerstone of the city's UNESCO World Heritage status. Founded in 1251, it is regarded as one of the most intact medieval monastic sites in northern Germany.
A History of Civic Adaptation
Prince Jaromar II of Rügen granted the site to Dominican friars in 1251. Following the 1525 Protestant Reformation, the monastery was dissolved and transferred to municipal ownership. For centuries, the secularized complex served dual civic roles. The western wing functioned as a grammar school from 1560 until 1945, while the eastern wing operated as an orphanage until 1919.
The transition into a cultural hub began in 1924 when regional museums occupied the cloisters. By 1951, a natural history museum moved into the 70-plus-meter-long hall church, eventually evolving into the renowned German Oceanographic Museum.
The German Oceanographic Museum
Today, the former monastic church houses the German Oceanographic Museum (MEERESMUSEUM). A multi-tiered steel structure provides modern exhibition platforms within the medieval nave. The space combines historic sacral architecture with live marine biology.
The aquatic blue light radiating from tropical enclosures contrasts sharply with the soaring, dark red brick rib vaults. The facility features 31 aquariums, including an 800,000-liter Caribbean reef tank. A monumental fin whale skeleton hangs suspended directly beneath the Gothic choir vault. The collection also includes "Marlene," a famous taxidermy giant leatherback sea turtle that unexpectedly strayed into Baltic waters.
The Stralsund Museum
The adjacent Stralsund Museum occupies the former convent cloisters, refectories, and chapter house. These rooms retain quiet, echoing acoustics and painted 15th-century ceiling vaults.
The museum showcases 6,000 years of regional and Hanseatic history. Notable exhibits include the 10th-century Viking Hiddensee gold jewelry and paintings by Caspar David Friedrich.
FAQ
What museums are located inside Katharinenkloster?
The complex houses two distinct institutions: the German Oceanographic Museum (MEERESMUSEUM) in the former church and the Stralsund Museum in the cloisters.
When was Katharinenkloster built?
The monastery was founded in 1251 after Prince Jaromar II of Rügen granted the land to Dominican friars, with construction expanding through the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
What marine life is displayed at the Oceanographic Museum?
The museum features global marine displays across 31 aquariums, highlighted by an 800,000-liter Caribbean reef tank, a suspended fin whale skeleton, and a famous taxidermy leatherback sea turtle named "Marlene."
