Chorin Monastery, brick Gothic by a lake

What it is

Chorin Monastery was founded by Cistercian monks in the late 13th century in the middle of the forest, beside Lake Amtssee, an hour north-east of Berlin. It is one of the masterpieces of brick Gothic in northern Germany: the west façade of the church, with its openwork gables, can be seen from far off between the trees. Today it is partly in ruins, with exhibitions in the monastic buildings and summer concerts in the roofless church.

Opening times and tickets

On summer hours, from April until the clocks change in October, it is open every day from 9:00 to 18:00; in winter, from 10:00 to 16:00. It is closed on 24 and 31 December. Entry costs €7 (€5 concession and children) and €15 for a family. From May to October there are open guided tours, with no booking, on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 and 13:00, and from July to September also on weekdays at 14:00: one hour, €10 for adults.

Getting there

By train, the RE3 regional service leaves Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz and Gesundbrunnen and stops at Chorin; from the station it is about a 25-minute walk along a signposted path. By car, take the A11, exit Chorin; the public car park, 200 metres away, costs at most €3 a day.