Zeitz is developing, we could experience that quite clearly during our visit. Committed young people and those young at heart are active here and are gradually bringing life in the city forward. And since change does not happen overnight, of course, and small steps are often not recognised, an old image persists that – we think – is outdated. We were out and about in Zeitz and experienced the new Zeitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Posa Monastery – life, work, art, culture and wine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you read “monastery”, you probably think of an old building, a church and certainly not of a new beginning and living and working together. We were allowed to look around the former monastery and, in addition to the history of the monastery, we also learned about wine, new management and great ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History of the monastery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There is a legend that tells how the monastery was founded.
According to the legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a Slav who had converted to Christianity. She is said to have urged him to persuade the bishop of Naumburg to found a monastery. The monastery was to be built on the Posa hilltop, where there was a castle. The bishop did not believe the man and could only be convinced when he said a prayer that the bishop prayed silently every morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Kloster](\"https:\/\/vonortzuort.reisen\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/kloster-posa-hof.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nTrue or not true, in any case, a wooden chapel was consecrated in 1114 on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and construction of the monastery began shortly afterwards. The monastery was completed in 1122. The Benedictine monastery was used until the Reformation in 1573 and then dissolved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
After that, the grounds were used more as an agricultural domain. The monastery buildings fell into disrepair and many of the materials were used as building materials for the Moritzburg in Zeitz.
Today, we only know very vaguely what the monastery really once looked like. The existing ground plan was only drawn after the buildings had been demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the GDR era, the monastery grounds housed a nationally owned cattle farm and a furniture warehouse. After reunification, the city of Zeitz bought back the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life and work at Posa Monastery today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The association “Kultur- und Bildungsst\u00e4tte Kloster – Posa e.V.” was founded in 2013 with the aim of making the former monastery grounds usable again and reviving the buildings, some of which had been unused for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, several families live on the mountain spur with their children, with the aim of combining living and working in one place. Guests are always welcome, and it is possible to spend the night here. Creative workshops have sprung up in some of the buildings: We took a brief look at a screen-printing workshop. But there is also a photo studio, the studio for theatre painting, a darkroom, a wood workshop, a studio for arts and crafts and the studio for media art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research into the old building stock is not neglected at Posa Monastery. For example, an old monastery well was discovered during gardening work and efforts are being made to preserve it as a historical monument. We were able to visit the remains of old walls, which are currently being carefully uncovered so that they can be examined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of our sightseeing tour, we walked past the vines on the grounds. There is documentary evidence that vines were grown here as early as 1121. After the monastery was closed down, the area was used for other agricultural products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1997, the first vines were planted here again and in the meantime there are 2500 m\u00b2 of vines. The association acquired the vineyard in 2015 and can now offer six types of wine (white Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Kernling, red Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Regent). The operators are happy to offer wine tastings on the wine terrace or in the wine tavern. But you can also buy the wine online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of our visit to Zeitz, we went to the Goethe Park. We very much enjoyed the cosy end of our trip with good music and coffee. I found the conversation with Thomas Haberkorn, who introduced us to the Robert Bosch Foundation’s project Neulandgewinnung, particularly exciting. Many of the ideas and implementations in Zeitz would certainly not have come about in the way they did without this project or would have taken much longer to implement. The video reveals more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Events are regularly held on the former monastery grounds. A large barn serves as a venue for events. In summer, for example, the Kinovino event is offered, combining cinema and wine enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nVisit to Goethepark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For a long time, this beautiful park was rather an unloved place in the city. No visitor wanted to spend time in a run-down area. With a lot of commitment, it has now been possible to make the park attractive for visitors. This is helped by events that attract all age and cultural groups to the park. We visited one of these events. From carriage rides to street food and musicians from the region, there was a colourful programme for all age groups. People sat comfortably together and enjoyed talking or listening to the music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Learn more<\/a><\/p>