Loccum Abbey

Loccum Abbey (Kloster Loccum) in Rehburg-Loccum, near Lake Steinhude west of Hanover, is one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries north of the Alps. Behind its old enclosure wall you will find a serene late-Romanesque church, a peaceful Gothic cloister, half-timbered houses, and ancient trees. Unusually, Loccum is still a living monastery: since the Reformation it has been a Lutheran community, and today it trains Protestant pastors and hosts daily prayers and concerts.

History

Count Wilbrand of Hallermund founded the abbey in 1163, bringing twelve monks from Volkenroda in Thuringia. The abbey church was built between roughly 1230 and 1280, in the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. At the end of the 16th century the community adopted the Lutheran faith. A pastors' seminary has been based here since 1820, and the renowned Protestant Academy of Loccum has operated next door since 1952. The church was restored between 2010 and 2012 and received a new organ.

What to See

• The abbey church, tall, bright, and austere in true Cistercian style.
• The cloister and chapels, with Gothic tracery windows.
• The monastery grounds, with gatehouse, enclosure wall, and half-timbered buildings.
• The monastic landscape of ponds and forest. Loccum is part of the Cisterscapes network, awarded the European Heritage Label in 2024.

Opening Hours and Tickets

As of October 2026, the grounds are open all day, and the church, cloister, and chapels are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (on winter Sundays until dusk). Entry is free. Public guided tours run April to October on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., cost €5 for adults, and are free for children. Group tours in English can be booked in advance through the gatehouse office. A short evening prayer service is held Monday to Saturday at 6 p.m.

How to Get There

Loccum lies about an hour's drive west of Hanover. From the A2 highway, take the Wunstorf/Luthe exit and follow the signs via Bad Rehburg, about 30 minutes from the exit. Park at Marktstraße 14, just 200 meters from the abbey. By public transport, take a regional train or S-Bahn to Nienburg, Stadthagen, or Wunstorf, then a local bus to the "Marktplatz" stop in Loccum. The Deutschlandticket covers both. Hanover Airport is the closest major airport.

Good to Know

• The church and cloister are wheelchair accessible. The chapels have steps.
• Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds but not inside.
• The church is unheated, so dress warmly in cold weather.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you appreciate quiet places and medieval architecture. Allow one to two hours, join a weekend tour in season, and combine your visit with a day at Lake Steinhude.