Eldena Monastery Ruins

The ruins of a former Cistercian monastery would probably have been forgotten or even completely demolished if Caspar-David Friedrich had not started painting them in around 1803. Due to the destruction and decay that followed the Thirty Years' War (and as a quarry for the construction of the university, to which it was donated in 1634), it was already nothing more than a ruin. Friedrich's paintings aroused public interest and scientific investigation and excavation began in 1828. The ruins have now been secured and are being preserved and used for cultural events. A wonderful place.

Eldena Monastery is a former Cistercian monastery in the Eldena district of Greifswald and only remains as a ruin. The monastery complex is open all year round and is freely accessible, with the exception of special events.

The name Hilda for the river now called Ryck was first documented in 1241 (“Hildam fluvium”) and therefore 42 years later than the documentary evidence for the corresponding name of the monastery. Nevertheless, historians assume that the monastery was named after the river and not the other way around. The name Eldena for the monastery was first documented in 1347. The town of Eldena, which has been part of Greifswald since 1939 and where the monastery ruins are located, is also named after this. In addition to the founding name Hilda and the final name Eldena, other names are attested: The name of the monastery is given in a document from 1204 as “Hilda or Ilda”; Hylda (1220) and later also Eldenow (1621) are also recorded.

Source and further information: de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloster_Eldena_(Vorpommern)