Suche
Mein Konto
800 years of Franciscan monastery: Lübeck is celebrating a historic anniversary!
On November 25, 2025, Lübeck will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Katharineum and the Franciscan Monastery with a celebration.
800 years of Franciscan monastery: Lübeck is celebrating a historic anniversary!
On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Lübeck is celebrating a very special anniversary: The Katharineum, the Lübeck museums and the city library look back on 800 years of history. A reason to celebrate for the city and its citizens! The historic buildings that emerged from the former Franciscan monastery are not only witnesses to an eventful past, but also a real cultural treasure for the region.
The Katharineum in Lübeck was founded in 1225, making it the first settlement of the Franciscan order in northern Germany. In 1531, during the Reformation, the monastery was converted into a municipal Latin school, which produced numerous prominent students in the following centuries. The famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann are among the most famous alumni. While Heinrich was considered a good student, Thomas, who graduated from secondary school in 1894 at the age of 19, had difficulties with his school career.
A place of education and culture
The close cooperation between the Franciscans and the citizens contributed significantly to the development of this educational location. “The monastery was converted into a three-part educational institution, the spirit of which still works today,” explains museum director Tilmann von Stockhausen. Particularly influential was the St. Catherine's Church, which was considered a popular funeral church among Lübeck residents and was supported by citizens with monetary donations. After the monastery was dissolved in 1531, the city library and museums were created from its holdings, including the now protected former monastery church, which has been part of the Lübeck museum network since 1982.
The celebrations for the 800th anniversary begin this evening at 6 p.m. in the Scharbausaal of the city library. Visitors can expect insights into the art and architectural history of the facility. Lectures, a concert and a reception are on the program. A special group of guests is expected: a delegation from the Franciscan Order from Hamburg will take part in the celebrations. “With our event, we not only want to commemorate, but also live the current spirit of cooperation between educational institutions and the public,” say the organizers.
This anniversary makes it clear once again what an important place the Katharineum and the adjacent Franciscan monastery play in the history and cultural life of Lübeck. Visitors are warmly invited to take part in this cultural festival and experience the special atmosphere of this historic place. Let's look back on the 800 years and enjoy the highlights that this day has in store!