Chorin Abbey

Chorin Abbey, about an hour northeast of Berlin, is one of the finest examples of North German brick Gothic architecture. The roofless red-brick ruins of this former Cistercian monastery rise beside a quiet lake in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, and the soaring west front of the church is often called a masterpiece. It is an easy and rewarding day trip from Berlin, especially in summer, when concerts fill the open-air nave.

A short history

The abbey was founded in 1258 by the Ascanian margraves of Brandenburg, first on an island in nearby Lake Parstein under the name Mariensee. The site proved impractical, so the monks moved about 8 km southwest to Chorin around 1273. The new abbey became the burial place of the Ascanian rulers. Its builders translated the forms of great cathedrals such as Cologne and Paris into brick for the first time in Brandenburg, and Chorin became a model for many later churches in the region.

After the Reformation the abbey was dissolved in 1542 and fell into ruin. In the early 19th century the famous Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel championed its preservation, making Chorin an early landmark of historic conservation in Prussia.

What to see

• The west façade: a towering screen of brick gables and tracery, the abbey's signature view.
• The church ruin: the roofless nave feels like a cathedral open to the sky.
• Cloister and chapter house: an animated film explains the daily routine of the monks.
• Exhibitions: on monastery building and economy, and on Schinkel's rescue of the ruin.

Tickets, hours and concerts

As of October 2026, per the official website: open daily 9 am to 6 pm during summer time (April until the clock change) and 10 am to 4 pm in winter, closed December 24 and 31. Admission is €7 for adults, €5 reduced and for children from age 7, €15 for families; children up to 6 enter free. Open guided tours run on weekends at 11 am and 1 pm from May to October. A café on site is open daily 11 am to 5 pm from Easter to the end of October.

Since 1964, the church ruin has hosted the Chorin Music Summer, one of Brandenburg's best-known classical festivals. Concerts take place on summer weekends from June to August, with the audience seated in the former nave. Book early.

How to get there

Take the RE3 regional train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz or Gesundbrunnen straight to Chorin station, then follow the signposted footpath for about 25 minutes. The Deutschlandticket is valid. By car, take the A11 autobahn to the Chorin exit; parking 200 meters from the abbey costs a maximum of €3 per day. Cyclists can arrive via the Berlin–Usedom long-distance bike route.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, for anyone who loves medieval architecture, photography or a peaceful countryside outing from Berlin. Paths to the chapel and exhibitions are step-free, though as a medieval ruin the site is not fully accessible.

Nearby

• Niederfinow Boat Lifts: two giant ship lifts just a few kilometers southeast.
• Lake Parstein and Brodowin: the abbey's original site and an organic farming village.
• Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve: forests, lakes and cycling routes right outside the gate.