After 750 years: Major renovation project for the Dominican monastery!

After 750 years: Major renovation project for the Dominican monastery!

The Prenzlau Dominican monastery, which was founded a proud 750 years ago, is facing extensive renovation as a result of the ambitious plans of Dr. Stephan Diller, the director of the cultural center. The aim is to comprehensively renovate the monastery church and the extension to the west wing by 2030 and to transform the historic site into a cultural center of the Uckermark. Again Northern Courier reports, there are several challenges that need to be overcome in order to present and use the monastery as a unit again.

The plans to redesign the Nikolaikirche, which has been empty since 2022, are particularly interesting. This conversion is based on a master's thesis by Georg Julian Schulz and stipulates that the church remains accessible to believers. A new atmosphere is created with church benches set up like tribunes. Diller also plans to set up a second level with a conference room and offices at the level of the gallery. The whole thing should be complemented by modern facilities such as toilet facilities and a tea kitchen.

Remediation measures and environmental goals

It is important to the planners to create the first CO2-neutral cultural facility in the Uckermark. This not only requires modern underfloor heating that is connected to the district heating supply, but also compliance with current fire protection guidelines. Again Museum Association emphasizes, sensitivity when dealing with historical buildings is crucial. Understandably, a careful combination of traditional and modern techniques plays a role.

Dr. Diller also plans to set up an escape route and an elevator in the west wing to ensure safety for visitors. Current fire protection requirements have had to be adjusted over the last 25 years, which makes the renovation more complex, but is essential for a contemporary usage concept.

Investments and support

The expected costs for the renovation of the church and the superintendent are around 12 million euros. The Uckermark district is cooperative and supports cultural projects with 45,000 euros annually. Goal of Dr. Diller is also applying for EU funding to ensure financing. Such a project is not only financially challenging, but also highly competitive, considering the numerous projects in Germany that are seeking similar funding. Like the website of Austrasse Zurich describes, numerous monastery renovations in Germany have been well documented and successfully implemented, which gives hope for a successful project for the Dominican monastery.

The plans for the conversion are not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to preserve the cultural and religious significance of the monastery for the region. The combination of historical sensitivity and modern renovation techniques could be a model for future projects in the Uckermark. “There is really something going on here,” one could say when it comes to combining tradition and progress.

The challenges are great, but the vision is clear: a revitalized Dominican monastery that serves future generations as a cultural heritage and meeting place.