Ihlow Abbey

The origins of Ihlow Abbey date back to 1216, when the abbot of Meerhusen Monastery expressed a desire to join the Cistercian Order. Following an inspection by abbots from Aduard and Heisterbach, the admission was approved in 1217, on the condition that a new location for the monks be found. The founding of Ihlow Abbey eventually took place between 1216 and 1230. It was dedicated to Saint Mary. Over its approximately 300-year history, the monastery played an important role in the politics, culture, and religion of the region. The abbots of Ihlow served as peace judges and exercised authority over dikes. During the period of Frisian Freedom, the abbey possibly served as an archive and chancellery for the Upstalsboom League, where important documents such as the seal and charters, as well as a copy of the Brokmerbrief, which served as a legal basis, were kept. The Counts of East Frisia dissolved the monastery in 1529 during the Reformation. The monastic buildings were subsequently demolished or repurposed.

The former Ihlow Abbey is situated in the municipality of Ihlow, approximately eight kilometers south of Aurich in Lower Saxony, Germany. Its geographical elevation is about 6 meters above sea level.

Today, no above-ground remains of the original Ihlow Abbey buildings are preserved. However, archaeological excavations have uncovered wall and pillar foundations, as well as floors of the church and monks' houses. The site also features partially preserved monastic ponds, ramparts, and protective ditches. Numerous ridge and furrow fields are visible in the surrounding forest. Part of the area is now accessible as the Ihlow Monastery Site Archaeological Park. Between 2005 and 2009, the former monastery church was reconstructed to its original size, with ivy-covered steel mesh mats forming the walls. The choir and altar area were also rebuilt as a wood-steel sculpture. This reconstruction, which incorporates the Romanesque-Gothic style of the medieval brick church, reaches a height of up to 45 meters with its roof turret. A 'Room of Tracing' is located beneath the former monastery church.

• Aurich Castle (Castle, approx. 7239 m away)
• Wilhelminenholz Pleasure Palace (Palace, approx. 7751 m away)
• Boekzetel Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller (Monastery, approx. 8181 m away)
• Boekzetel Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller (Monastery, approx. 8182 m away)