Himmelpforten Convent

Himmelpforten Convent
Kloster Himmelpforten
Location within Lower Saxony
Monastery information
Other namesConventus Porta Coeli (Latin)
Klooster Hemelpoorten (Low German)
Kloster Himmelpforten (German)
OrderCistercian
Lutheran Damsels' Convent
Establishedbefore 1255
Disestablished1630, and again
1647
Reestablished1634
Dedicated toGate of Heaven
DioceseArchdiocese of Bremen
Controlled churchesAbbey, St. Mary's Church, Großenwörden, and St. Peter's Church, Horst upon Oste
Architecture
Functional statusdefunct
Styleearly Gothic
Groundbreaking1300
Completion date1330
Site
LocationHimmelpforten
Coordinates53°36′52″N 9°18′17″E / 53.614494°N 9.304755°E / 53.614494; 9.304755
Visible remainsnorthern wall of the present Lutheran church

Himmelpforten Convent (Low Saxon: Klooster Hemelpoorten, German: Kloster Himmelpforten; Latin: Conventus Porta Coeli) was founded as a monastery of nuns following the Cistercian Rule during the 13th century in Himmelpforten, in today's Lower Saxony, Germany. During the 16th century, it was converted into use as a Lutheran Damsels' Convent. The Himmelpforten Convent was founded before 1255 and finally dissolved in 1647. The convent complex was built between 1300 and 1330. After 1645 the buildings, including the abbey, increasingly decayed, until they were little by little demolished. The dilapidated abbey was demolished in 1737 and replaced by today's St. Mary's Church which partially covers the foundations of the former abbey.