Jerichow Monastery

In contrast, the structurally and canonically identical buildings next to the Cathedrals of Magdeburg, Havelberg and Brandenburg an der Havel are not described as monasteries.

The monastery was founded in 1144 as an Premonstratensian Abbey by Hartwig von Stade, then canon of the Magdeburg Cathedral and since 1148 Archbishop of Bremen, in the middle of the village of Jerichow and confirmed by the Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad III of Germany.

In the following year, it was filled and manned by the Premonstratensian canons from the Our Lady Friary [de] [ "Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary" ] in Magdeburg.

But, three years later, in 1148, it was moved to its present location, north of Jerichow, as the refuge from the noises of the marketplace in the village.

Due to the advancement of architectural style, except for the western entrance they are no more Romanesque, most windows have pointed arches and typical shapes of Early Gothic.

During the Thirty Years War, the Imperial and Swedish armies devastated the village and churches of Jerichow, including the monastery, in 1631.

Between 1853 and 1856, at the request of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, Ferdinand von Quast [de] restored the monastery and its church.

Near the end of World War II, the west front of the church was damaged by the artillery of the American army during the firefight with the German forces.

So in 1998 the entire complex had to be placed under the protection of the Bauaufsichtsbehörde [ Building Inspection Authority ] and closed as unsafe and unfit.