Concerts at Kloster Stift zum Heiligengrabe

Classical Music in a Medieval Monastery

Kloster Stift zum Heiligengrabe is one of Brandenburg's most beautiful preserved Cistercian nunneries — founded in 1287, it remains a vibrant monastic complex today with a collegiate church, Holy Sepulchre chapel, and convent buildings. For years, a concert series has been held in this medieval acoustic space, counting among the most ambitious classical formats in the entire Prignitz and Ostprignitz-Ruppin region.

12 Concerts April – October 2026

The 2026 season includes 12 concerts, all on Saturdays at 5 p.m. — from the spring opening on April 18th to the season finale on October 10th. The range is exceptional:

• 18.04. — Composers!, Leipziger Vocalensemble, vocal music by female composers from five centuries
• 09.05. — Spirit of Hanse, works for viola and organ from European Hanseatic cities
• 23.05. — Of Fools, Jesters, and Tyrants, Baroque music with recorder, historical clarinet, and harpsichord
• 06.06. — Let the Foreign Land Become Your Home, piano trio with readings — Eastern European composers and biographical texts
• 27.06. — Organ Concert, Christian Grosch from classical to jazz
• 11.07. — Les pantomimes italiennes, Trio Animato with works by Nicolas Chedeville and pantomime
• 08.08. — emBRASSment / Once Upon a Time, open-air concert for the 25th anniversary of the Leipzig Brass Quintet
• 22.08. — Arcadia, Place of Longing, Ensemble SPREZZATURA22, Baroque and Japanese haiku poetry
• 05.09. — Vivaldi – Freshly Bowed, young Brandenburg string ensembles
• 19.09. — Sound Structures, classical works and live electronics
• 03.10. — Lament of Beauty, Baroque vocal and organ music about war and destruction
• 10.10. — The Sound of North, Adumá Saxophone Quartet with Scandinavian repertoire

Heiligengrabe — Cistercian Nuns Since 1287

Stift Heiligengrabe was founded in 1287 as a Cistercian nunnery — allegedly prompted by a miracle host that is said to have moved a Jewish pilgrim to convert. After the Reformation, the convent was transformed into a Protestant ladies' foundation, a tradition that continues to this day. The monastic complex in the municipality of Heiligengrabe (Ostprignitz-Ruppin district) is now a vibrant place for classical enjoyment, historical visits, and spiritual contemplation.

Children Free, Adults Pay

A special feature: Children up to 12 years old have free admission to all concerts. This makes the series a good family event — classical music in a historic monastic setting can also be an experience for young ears, especially the open-air concert on August 8th and the colorful Trio Animato with pantomime.

Getting There and Day Trip

Heiligengrabe is reachable hourly from Berlin by train (RE6) (Heiligengrabe station, approx. 1.5 hours), then a 1.2 km walk to the monastery grounds. By car, take the A19 (Wittstock exit) or A24 (Heiligengrabe/Pritzwalk exit). Those staying all day can visit the monastery complex, explore the educational garden, and stop by the monastery café — a perfect day trip from Berlin.