The Magdalenstift: A trip through Altenburg's secret history!

The Magdalenstift: A trip through Altenburg's secret history!

Altenburg, Deutschland - In Altenburg there is a place that is not only associated with the past, but also with fascinating stories: the Magdalenstift. This impressive cultural monument, which is in the heart of Altenburg, was originally built in 1665 as a widow's seat for Duchess Magdalena Sibylle of Saxony. However, the construction could not be completed because the Duchess died in 1668. From then on, the unfinished building served as a grain magazine. It was not until 1702 that Henriette Catharina von Gersdorff came into the cause, which then asked Duke Friedrich II for support for an Evangelical Lutheran women's abbey. It gave the project green light, and so the Magdalenstift was completed from 1703 until the ceremonial inauguration on December 4, 1705. Wochenspiegel reports that…

Over more than 200 years, the magdalenstift was a respected institution that acted as boarding school and girls' school for noble women. Girls had to be at least seven years old and went through an apprenticeship up to the age of 17. The lessons were carried out by abbey pastors and hired teachers from the city and noble women themselves. During this time, the pen experienced numerous extensions, including a grave chapel in 1708 and a collegiate church in 1870/71, which are still part of the building complex.

change through the centuries

The renovation of the historical building from 1999 to 2003 ensured that the Magdalenstift continues to remain a lively part of the Altenburg community. For the 300th anniversary in 2005, the long history of the abbey was celebrated, and the CEO Dirk None, who has been in office since December 2022, brings a breath of fresh air and new ideas in the organization.

A look at the exhibition

Achtuard is currently a new annual exhibition in Altenburger Castle, which illuminates the history of the magdalen stuck and presents important stations from the past. It is worth noting that the magdalenstift is not only interwoven with local history, but also has connections to important personalities, such as the Munich scandal countess and the resistance fighter Dietrich Bonhoeffer. These links give the pen a special importance in Altenburg historiography.

The eventful past of the magdalen stifts is not only reflected in its architecture, but also in the stories that have been lived here. The pen is more than just a building; It stands for tradition, change and social responsibility that has shaped the local community over the centuries. [Wikipedia provides further information about the pen] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalenensstift_ (Altenburg)) and The Altenburgverein shows the historical aspects of the city.