Lüne Abbey

Lüne Abbey () is an abbey in Lüneburg, in the German state of Lower Saxony, which was originally built for Benedictine nuns and today is home to a chapter of Lutheran nuns. It is one of several monasteries administered by the Hanoverian monastic chamber (Klosterkammer Hannover).
== History ==
Lüne Abbey was founded in 1172 by Hildeswidis von Markboldestorp. In the founding document by Bishop Hugo of Verden, there is no mention of the observances to be followed, so that it is assumed that it was a chapter of canonesses. Not until 1272 was the monastery described in a document as an abbey for Benedictine nuns and only from the mid-14th century is a full adoption of Benedictine observances recorded.
The abbey was overseen by an abbess. Its administration and pastoral care was placed in the charge of a provost elected by the nuns. Lüne belonged to the Bursfelde Congregation.
Following the introduction of the Reformation in the Principality of Lüneburg the first service in the German language was celebrated on 26 April 1528 at the instigation of Duke Ernest the Confessor, despite the opposition of the nuns. In 1529 the provostship's property was placed under ducal administration and a new provost, selected by the local lords, was installed who was to ensure the implementation of Lutheran doctrine. However, due to considerably resistance by the orthodox nuns it took until 1562 before the new doctrine was fully adopted throughout the convent. On the basis of a rule in the Lüneburg Monastic Regulations the monastery retained its independence however.
In 1711, at the behest of Duke George-Louis (later George I of Great Britain) the monastery was turned into a Lutheran convent, whose primary task was the care of unmarried daughters of Lüneburg's country gentry.
The monastery has belonged to the Hanoverian monastic chamber since the 19th century. Currently (2008) it is in the charge of Abbess Reinhild von der Goltz.
== Architecture ==
In 1380 the monastery was rebuilt in the Brick Gothic style after a major fire. The cloisters, the single-nave church of 1412 and the Nonnenchor are well preserved, the same is true of the former Dormitorium (dormitory). 
== Art ==
Lüne is famous for its knitting and embroidery (wool on linen). Valuable pieces (white embroidery (Weißstickerei) altar cloths, fasting cloths (Fastentücher) and carpets, the oldest dating to around 1250, are displayed in the textile museum in the grounds of the monastery opened in 1995. In the church on the altar in the Nonnenchor is a painting from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder. The high altar's triptych (carved altar) was made in the early 16th century. Also worthy of mention are the wall paintings from around 1500 in the refectory of the monastery.
== Literature ==
Angela Lorenz-Leber: Kloster Lüne. Aufnahmen von Jutta Brüdern. Königstein i. Ts. 1991 (= Die Blauen Bücher), ISBN 3-7845-0828-6
== External links ==
* http://www.kloster-luene.de
Category:Benedictine monasteries in Germany
Category:Monasteries in Lower Saxony
Category:Brick Gothic
Category:Protestant convents
Category:Lüneburg Heath
Category:Benedictine nunneries in Germany
de:Kloster Lüne
pl:Klasztor Lüne