Dominican Abbey

The exact circumstances of the monastery's foundation are not fully known, but the year 1236 is considered a probable date. Dominican friars were already active in Minden from 1231, at the instigation of the Roman Curia. In 1260, the monastery church was consecrated by Bishop Wedekind of Minden. The church later served as the burial place for Bishop Volquin von Schwalenberg (1293) and Otto II. von Wettin (1368). Important figures such as the historian Heinrich von Herford, as well as Bishops Otto I. von Minden, Hermann von Lerbeck, Hermann von Minden, and Gerhard von Minden, were members of this monastery. In 1530, the friars handed over the monastery to the city in exchange for residence rights in one wing. The city divided the complex and established a precursor school to today's Ratsgymnasium in the eastern area. The Reformation ultimately led to the dissolution of the monastery. The church was handed over to the Reformed community in 1736 and demolished in 1777. The gymnasium used the former monastery wing until a new school building was constructed in 1880. From 1766, the former dormitory housed a sugar factory, privileged by Frederick the Great, which was followed by a cigar factory in 1885.

The former Dominican Monastery is located in the city of Minden, in the district of Minden-Lübbecke in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Today, parts of the western wing of the monastery buildings, which once housed the dormitory and refectory, are still preserved. Vaulted bays of the cloister are visible on the ground floor, while small rectangular windows on the west side of the upper floor indicate the former sleeping quarters of the monks. A comprehensive archaeological investigation of the complex has not yet taken place.

• Fortress Proviant Magazin (Minden) (Fortress, approx. 235 m away)
• Defensionskaserne (Minden) (Fortress, approx. 568 m away)
• Fortress Offizierskasino Infanterieregiment Nr.15 (Minden) (Fortress, approx. 577 m away)
• Fortress Reservelazarett (Minden) (Fortress, approx. 605 m away)