Founded by Ascanian margraves in 1258, the former Cistercian abbey of Chorin is situated around an hour’s drive from Berlin in the Schorfheide. It is considered one of the most important monuments of early brick Gothic architecture in Brandenburg and played a significant role in the Ascanians' influential sphere along the border with the yet-to-be-conquered Slavs.
The Chorin Abbey was secularized in 1542 when the rulers of Brandenburg converted to Protestantism and served as a livestock barn over the following decades. It gradually deteriorated until the early 19th century when it was restored and partly rebuilt under the direction of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Today it is open to the public as a museum, offering a fascinating insight into the House of Ascania.
Learn about the construction of the former Cistercian monastery in the cellarium and the influential role donors played in its architecture. There are media stations and artifacts detailing life for the Cistercian monks during the Middle Ages and how they left their mark on the surrounding countryside through agriculture and trade.
The brewery features an exhibit on Chorin’s use during the post-Reformation period and its rediscovery in the 19th century, as well as how it became a proud example of Prussian historic preservation under the leadership of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Architectural drawings and listening texts provide an insight into the early restoration phases and how it impacted Neo-Gothic buildings around Chorin, as well as the artists from across Germany and beyond who were attracted by the abbey’s charm.