Walkenrieder Kreuzgangkonzerte

Concerts in the Gothic Cloister

The Walkenrieder Kreuzgangkonzerte take place in the Gothic cloister of Walkenried Abbey – one of the best-preserved examples of Cistercian monastic architecture in Central Europe. The former monastery was founded in 1127 and largely destroyed during secularization in 1525, but the cloister and parts of the monks' quarters were preserved and now form the core of the ZisterzienserMuseum.

Acoustics and Atmosphere

The unique acoustics of the cloister, with its ribbed vaulted pointed arches and Gothic stone architecture, are ideal for chamber music ensembles, vocal ensembles, and acoustic instruments. This acoustic quality is the true unique selling proposition of the Kreuzgangkonzerte: here, music is heard in a space where monks gathered for devotion over 800 years ago.

Program Profile

Programmatically, the series covers a broad spectrum: Early and Classical music form the foundation, but jazz, folk, world music, singer-songwriters, a cappella, and musical cabaret are also regularly featured in the schedule. The curation deliberately seeks out acts that harmonize with the space and utilize it acoustically and atmospherically.

Open-Air Concerts in Summer

In the summer, selected concerts are moved to the monastery garden as open-air events, attracting an even larger audience. These open-air dates regularly count among the season's sales highlights.

UNESCO World Heritage

Since 2010, Walkenried Abbey has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System. The Kreuzgangkonzerte are thus part of an international cultural-historical context and contribute significantly to the cultural perception of the World Heritage site.