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Neanderklinik Harzwald
A space that is history itself: The crypt of the Neanderklinik Harzwald stands on the site of the old monastery in Ilfeld. It serves as a museum, a place of worship, and a wedding venue all in one—spanning more than 900 years, from the Marian monastery to today’s healthcare facility. At its heart is the Oblognum—the relief depicting Count Elger II and Lutrude von Hohnstein. The couple holds a small model of a church between them. Elger was the first Count of Hohnstein from the Ilfeld line. The monastery was founded in 1189.
From the lamp in the park to the name above the door: The Eternal Lamp is associated with the year 1103 and the death of Kuno of Northeim. A reconstruction stands in the park in front of the crypt. In 1546, the Premonstratensian monastery of St. Mary’s became a Protestant monastery school. Under Michael Neander, a follower of Luther, Ilfeld grew into a school for scholars. Its reputation later extended as far as Göttingen. In the 20th century, a military academy and a hospital followed—since 1993, it has been the Neanderklinik Harzwald, which has included a nursing facility since 2000.
Come in, pause, say “I do”: You can tour the crypt on weekdays by appointment—sign up at the front desk or by calling 036331 350. The space is small and quiet; behind the altar is a colorful stained-glass window. If you’d like, you can have a civil wedding ceremony here. The address is Neanderplatz 4; the nearest stop on the Harz Narrow-Gauge Railway is Ilfeld Neanderklinik.
Photos and text: Tim Schäfer, Niedersachswerfen