Usedom Abbey

Usedom Abbey () was a medieval Premonstratensian monastery on the isle of Usedom (Western Pomerania, Germany) near the town of Usedom. It was founded in Grobe and later moved to nearby Pudagla, and is thus also known as Grobe Abbey () or Pudagla Abbey () respectively.
The abbey was founded by the Pomeranian duke Ratibor I and his wife, Pribislawa, in the course of the conversion of Pomerania to Christianity.Hans Bernd Harder, Bernd E. Scholz, Studia Slavica, Schmitz, 1981, p.31, ISBN 3877110355Historische Kommission zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. Friedrich-Meinecke-Institut, Jahrbuch für die Geschichte Mittel- und Ostdeutschlands, Ausgabe 47, Niemeyer, 2002, p.425 The exact foundation date is uncertain, but it is assumed that it was about 1155, after the foundation of Stolpe Abbey in 1153 and before Ratibor's death.Eberhard Völker, Pommern und Ostbrandenburger, Langen Müller, 2000, p.31, ISBN 3784427561 The first written record is the confirmation of the abbey by the Pomeranian bishop Adalbert of 8 June 1159, which at the same time is the oldest known Pomeranian document.Hans Bernd Harder, Bernd E. Scholz, Studia Slavica, Schmitz, 1981, p.32, ISBN 3877110355
The site of Grobe Abbey has been archaeologically determined to be Priesterkamp hill in the town of Usedom.Historische Kommission zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. Friedrich-Meinecke-Institut, Jahrbuch für die Geschichte Mittel- und Ostdeutschlands, Ausgabe 47, Niemeyer, 2002, p.424 The monks first came from Magdeburg, later from Havelberg.Günter Rein, Klaus Winands, Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Klosters Doberan, Klosteranlagen in Mecklenburg und Vorpommern: Schicksale und Chancen, Edition M, 2005, p.28, ISBN 393371320 Shortly after its foundation, Grobe Abbey functioned as the temporary seat of the Pomeranian diocese, before its move to Cammin (Kammin, Kamien) in 1175.Norbert Buske, Pommern, Helms Schwerin 1997, p.14-15, ISBN 3-931185-07-9 
In 1307/09, the abbey was relocated to nearby Pudagla.Gesellschaft für Pommersche Geschichte, Altertumskunde und Kunst, Stettin, Historische Kommission für Pommern, Baltische Studien 83-85, C. von der Ropp, 1997, p.10 After the Protestant Reformation, the abbey was secularized into a ducal domain, and from the late 16th century was a refuge for ducal widows.Günter Rein, Klaus Winands, Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Klosters Doberan, Klosteranlagen in Mecklenburg und Vorpommern: Schicksale und Chancen, Edition M, 2005, p.31, ISBN 393371320
==See also==
*Conversion of Pomerania
*History of Pomerania
*Pomerania during the High Middle Ages
*Duchy of Pomerania
*Bishopric of Cammin
*List of Christian religious houses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
==References==
Category:1155 establishments
Category:Christian monasteries established in the 12th century
Category:Premonstratensian monasteries in Germany
Category:Monasteries in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Category:History of Pomerania
Category:History of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
de:Kloster Grobe
pl:Klasztor Grobe