List of Christian monasteries in Denmark explained

The following is a list, as yet incomplete, of Christian religious houses in Denmark[1] whether extant or not, for both men and for women.

Denmark

Religious houseLocationRegionDedicationOrderNotes
Æbelholt AbbeyTjæreby near HillerødRegion HovedstadenSaint ThomasAugustinian canons1176–1536; moved here from Eskilsø
Franciscan Friary, Copenhagen (or Greyfriars)CopenhagenRegion HovedstadenFranciscan friars1238–1530
Poor Clares' Priory, CopenhagenCopenhagenRegion HovedstadenPoor Clares1497–1535
Carmelite Priory, CopenhagenCopenhagenRegion HovedstadenCarmelite friars1479–1529
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, CopenhagenCopenhagenRegion HovedstadenHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost to 1497, Augustinian canons thereafter1296–1530
St. Gertrude's Hospital, CopenhagenCopenhagenRegion HovedstadenSaint Gertrudedates tbe
St. George's Leper Hospital, CopenhagenCopenhagenRegion HovedstadenSaint Georgebefore 1261–1609
Eskilsø AbbeyEskilsø in the Roskilde FjordRegion HovedstadenAugustinian canonsfirst half of 12th century-1176; moved to Æbelholt
Esrum AbbeyEsrum Sø, GræstedRegion HovedstadenCistercian monks (formerly Benedictine monks)1151-1536
Carmelite Priory, Helsingør
(Priory of Our Lady, Helsingør)
HelsingørRegion HovedstadenBlessed Virgin MaryCarmelite friars1430–1536
Dominican Priory, HelsingørHelsingørRegion HovedstadenSaint NicholasDominican friars1441–1536
Franciscan Friary, HelsingørHelsingørRegion HovedstadenSaint AnneFranciscan friars1420–1537; now the site of Marienlyst Castle
Knardrup AbbeyKnardrupsgård north-west of Copenhagen, between Ganløse and MåløvRegion HovedstadenCistercian monks1326–1536
Slangerup AbbeySlangerupRegion HovedstadenBlessed Virgin Mary and Saint NicholasBenedictine nuns to 1187, Cistercian nuns thereafter1170–1555
Aastrup Kloster, Aastrup Jomfrukloster
or Det Grevelige Dannemandske Stift Aastrup
Aastrup, Soderup, RoskildeRegion SjællandLutheran women's collegiate foundation1886–1983 or -88
AntvorskovSlagelseRegion SjællandSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallers1164–1536
Asserbo CharterhouseRoskildeRegion SjællandCarthusian monks1162/63–c.1169/70; after Carthusians left, site abandoned, and later given as a grange to the Cistercians at Sorø
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, ElvedgårdSøndersø, island of FunenRegion SjællandHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost[2] 1475–1536
St. Agnes' Priory, GavnøGavnøRegion SjællandSaint AgnesDominican nuns1403–1536
Gisselfeld Adelige JomfruklosterGisselfeld Castle, BråbyRegion SjællandLutheran women's collegiate foundationfounded 1755; extant
Halsted PrioryNakskov, LollandRegion SjællandSaint Samson of DolBenedictine monks1290–1536
Holbæk PrioryHolbækRegion SjællandSaint NicholasDominican friars1275–1535
Kalundborg FriaryKalundborgRegion SjællandFranciscan friars1240–1532
Køge FriaryKøgeRegion SjællandBlessed Virgin Mary (Saint Mary of Consolation)Franciscan friars1484–1531
Maribo AbbeyMariboRegion Sjælland]Blessed Virgin MaryBridgettines to 1536; refounded 1551 as Lutheran women's collegiate foundation (Adelige Jomfrukloster)1416–1536; 1551–1621
Næstved Priory or St Peter's Priory, NæstvedNæstvedRegion SjællandSaint PeterDominican friars1265–1536
Næstved FriaryNæstvedRegion SjællandFranciscan friars1242–1532
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, NakskovNakskovRegion SjællandHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost, monks and nuns1470–1536
Nykøbing FriaryNykøbing FalsterRegion SjællandBlessed Virgin Mary, Saint Michael and Saint FrancisFranciscan friars1419–1532
Nysted FriaryNystedRegion SjællandFranciscan friars1286–1538
Hospital of St. Anthony, PræstøPræstøRegion SjællandSaint AnthonyHospital Brothers of St. Anthony1470–1536
Ringsted AbbeyRingstedRegion SjællandBlessed Virgin MaryBenedictine monks1134–1536
Roskilde Abbey (Abbey of Our Lady, Roskilde)RoskildeRegion SjællandBlessed Virgin MaryBenedictine nuns to 1177, thereafter Cistercian nuns1160–1536
St. Catherine's Priory, RoskildeRoskildeRegion SjællandSaint Catherine of SienaDominican friars1231–1536
St. Agnes' Priory, RoskildeRoskildeRegion SjællandSaint AgnesDominican nuns1263–1527
Franciscan Friary, RoskildeRoskildeRegion SjællandFranciscan friars1237–1537
St. Clare's Priory, RoskildeRoskildeRegion SjællandSaint Clare of AssisiPoor Clares1256–1537
Dominican Priory, SkælskørSkælskørRegion SjællandDominican friarsc.1300–1536
Carmelite Priory, SkælskørSkælskørRegion SjællandCarmelite friars1418–1532
Skovkloster AbbeyNæstvedRegion SjællandSaint PeterBenedictine monks1175–1536; after the Reformation turned into a school as Herlufsholm School, which is still extant
Sorø AbbeySorøRegion SjællandBenedictine monks to 1161 or 1162, thereafter Cistercians1142–1536; after the Reformation turned into a school as Sorø Academy, which is still extant
Vallø Adelige JomfruklosterVallø CastleRegion SjællandLutheran noblewomen's collegiate foundationfounded 1737; extant
Vemmetofte Adelige JomfruklosterFaxeRegion SjællandLutheran noblewomen's collegiate foundation founded 1735; extant http://www.vemmetofte.dk
Vordingborg PrioryVordingborgRegion SjællandDominican friars1253–c. 1265
Aalborg Abbey (Abbey of Our Lady, Aalborg)AalborgRegion NordjyllandBlessed Virgin MaryBenedictine nuns1125–1527
Aalborg FriaryAalborgRegion NordjyllandFranciscan friars1250–1530
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, AalborgAalborgRegion NordjyllandHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost1451–1536
St. George's Hospital, AalborgAalborgRegion NordjyllandSaint Georgeorder uncertain–1534
Børglum AbbeyBørglum near LøkkenRegion NordjyllandPremonstratensian canons[3] 1209–1536
Dueholm PrioryNykøbing MorsRegion NordjyllandSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallers1370–1536
Glenstrup AbbeyGlenstrup near RandersRegion NordjyllandBlessed Virgin MaryBenedictine monks1125–1431 and 1441–1445; the premises were given to the Carthusians in 1432; the Benedictines reoccupied them in 1441, but were removed again in 1445, when the site was given as an estate to the Bridgettines of Mariager Abbey
Glenstrup CharterhouseGlenstrup near RandersRegion NordjyllandCarthusian monks1432–1441; established in the former Benedictine Glenstrup Abbey
Hundslund Priory
now Dronninglund Castle
Dronninglund CastleRegion NordjyllandBlessed Virgin Mary and Saint ClementBenedictine nuns1250–1535
Ø Abbey[4] Oxholm in ØlandRegion NordjyllandBenedictine nuns1175–1536
Sebber PriorySebbersundRegion NordjyllandSaint LawrenceBenedictine nunsc. 1250–1536
Sæby PriorySæbyRegion NordjyllandCarmelite friarsc.1460–1536
Vestervig AbbeyRegion NordjyllandAugustinian canonsc.1110-1536
Kappel PrioryVestervigRegion Nordjyllandnuns (order uncertain)dates tbe
Vitskøl AbbeyRanum, HimmerlandRegion NordjyllandCistercian monks1158–1536; renamed Bjørnsholm
Vrejlev PrioryVråRegion NordjyllandPremonstratensian canons from Børglum Abbey to 1200; Premonstratensian nuns thereafter1165-1536
Carmelite priory, AarhusAarhusRegion MidtjyllandCarmelite friars1460s–1531
Dominican Priory, AarhusAarhusRegion MidtjyllandBlessed Virgin MaryDominican friarsc.1240-1530
Alling AbbeySvostrup, GjernRegion MidtjyllandSaint JohnBenedictine monks1250–1536; moved here from Vejerslev
Essenbæk AbbeyAssentoft near RandersRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine monks1179-1529; moved here from Randers
Grinderslev PrioryGrinderslevRegion MidtjyllandSaint PeterAugustinian canons1150-1536
Gudum PrioryGudumRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine nuns1250–1536
Franciscan Friary, HorsensHorsensRegion MidtjyllandFranciscan friars1261–1532
Knights Hospitallers, HorsensHorsensRegion MidtjyllandSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallers1375–1536
Kalvø AbbeyKalvø Island in the Skanderborg SøRegion MidtjyllandCistercian monks1167–1172); community moved here from Veng Abbey, and moved on to found Øm Abbey
Mariager AbbeyMariagerRegion MidtjyllandBridgettines1446–1536
Øm AbbeyMossø, in Gammel RyeRegion MidtjyllandCistercian monks1172-1536; the community settled at Øm in 1172, having been formerly located, in quick succession from 1165 onwards, at Sabro, Sminge, Veng and Kalvø
Ørslev AbbeyØrslevkloster, SkiveRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine nuns1175-1536
RandersRegion MidtjyllandBlessed Virgin MaryBenedictine double monastery until c. 1140; Benedictine nuns thereafterc.1125-1428; monks moved to Essenbæk c.1140
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, RandersRandersRegion MidtjyllandHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost1485–1532
Franciscan Friary, RandersRandersRegion MidtjyllandFranciscan friars1236–1530
Ring AbbeyHylke on the Skanderborg SøRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine nunsc.1175-1536
Sabro AbbeySabroRegion MidtjyllandCistercian monks1165; community moved almost immediately to Sminge
Sminge AbbeyVoel on the Sminger SøRegion MidtjyllandCistercian monks1165–1166; community moved here from Sabro, and moved on to Veng
Støvringgård JomfruklosterStøvringgård near RandersRegion MidtjyllandLutheran women's collegiate foundationfounded 1745; extant http://stovringgaard-kloster.dk
Stubber PrioryGinding, HardsysselRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine nunsc.1150-1536
Tvilum PrioryTvilum, GjernRegion MidtjyllandAugustinian canonsc.1247-1536
Tvis AbbeyStorå, HolstebroRegion MidtjyllandCistercian monks1163-1536
Vejerslev AbbeyRandersRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine monks1150–1225; moved to Alling
Vejle PrioryVejleRegion MidtjyllandDominican friars1325–1530
Veng AbbeyVengRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine monks to 1165; Cistercian monks thereafter1060s-1165; after the Benedictines left, the premises were occupied briefly by Cistercian monks from Sminge, who almost immediately moved on to Kalvø
St. Mary's Abbey, ViborgViborgRegion MidtjyllandSaint MaryAugustinian canonsdates tbe
Asmild AbbeyViborgRegion MidtjyllandSaint MargaretAugustinian nuns1167-1536
Dominican Priory, Viborg (Blackfriars)ViborgRegion MidtjyllandDominican friarsc.1240-1529
Franciscan Friary, ViborgViborgRegion MidtjyllandFranciscan friars1235–1530
St. John's Priory, ViborgViborgRegion MidtjyllandSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallersc.1275-1536
Vissing Priory[5] VorladegårdRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine nunsc.1200-1450
Voer AbbeyVorladegårdRegion MidtjyllandBenedictine monks1150-1532
Assens PrioryAssensRegion of Southern DenmarkCarmelite friars1500–1530
Dalum AbbeyRegion of Southern DenmarkBenedictine nuns1200-1529
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, FåborgFåborgRegion of Southern DenmarkHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost1477–1540
Haderslev PrioryHaderslevRegion of Southern DenmarkDominican friars1250–1527
Holme Abbey
now Brahetrolleborg
Brahetrolleborg, island of FunenRegion of Southern DenmarkCistercian monks1172-1536
Kolding FriaryKoldingRegion of Southern DenmarkFranciscan friars1288–1530
Løgum AbbeyLøgumklosterRegion of Southern DenmarkCistercian monks1173-1536; community moved here from Seem
St. Alban's Priory, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkBlessed Virgin Mary
Saint Alban
Benedictine monksc.1075-c.1100; replaced by St. Canute's Abbey, Odense
St. Canute's Abbey, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint CanuteBenedictine monksc.1100-1536; replaced St. Alban's Priory, Odense
Nonnebakken Abbey (1175–1200): Benedictine nuns (moved to Dalum)OdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkBenedictine nuns1175–1200; community moved to Dalum
Dominican Priory, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint PeterDominican friars1240–1536
Franciscan Friary, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkFranciscan friars1279–1537
St. Clare's Priory, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint Clare of AssisiPoor Clares1522–1538
St. John's Priory, OdenseOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallersc.1275-1536
Odense Adelige JomfruklosterOdenseRegion of Southern DenmarkLutheran noblewomen's collegiate foundationfounded 1716; amalgamated with the Roskilde Adelige Jomfrukoster in 1974
St. Nicholas' Priory, RibeRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint NicholasBenedictine nuns1170-1532; the community moved here from the former double monastery at Seem
St. Catherine's Priory, RibeRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint Catherine of SienaDominican friars1228-1531
Franciscan Friary, RibeRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkFranciscan friars1232-1537
St. John's Priory, RibeRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint John the BaptistKnights Hospitallersc.1300-1537
St. George's Leper Hospital, RibeRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkSaint Georgedates tbe
Seem AbbeyRibeRegion of Southern DenmarkBenedictine double monastery to 1170, when nuns removed; Cistercian monks from 1171c.1150-1173; Benedictine double monastery until nuns moved to Ribe in 1170; resettled as a Cistercian monastery from Herrevad; community moved to Løgum in 1173
Svendborg FriarySvendborgRegion of Southern DenmarkFranciscan friars1236-1537
Svendborg Leper Hospital SvendborgRegion of Southern Denmarkorder uncertain but closely connected to the Franciscan friarydates tbe
Tønder FriaryTønderRegion of Southern DenmarkFranciscan friars1238–1530
Religious houseLocationDedicationOrderNotes
Flensburg FriaryFlensburgFranciscan friars1263–1528
Guldholm AbbeyGuldholmBenedictine monks, later Cistercian monks 1190/91-1210; community transferred from St. Michael's Abbey, Schleswig; moved to Ryd Abbey
Husum FriaryHusumFranciscan friars1494–1528
Mohrkirchen HospitalMohrkirch[6] Saint AnthonyHospital Brothers of St. Anthony1391–1535
Ryd Abbey or Rüde AbbeyGlücksburgCistercian monks1210-1536
St. John's Priory, SchleswigSchleswigSaint JohnBenedictine nunsc.1200-1536
St. Michael's Abbey, SchleswigSchleswigSaint MichaelBenedictine double monastery, later Benedictine nunsc. 1030-c. 1200; the monks were removed for disciplinary reasons c.1190 and sent to found Guldholm Abbey
Dominican Friary, SchleswigSchleswigDominican friars1239–1529
Franciscan Friary, SchleswigSchleswigFranciscan friars1232–1530

See also List of Christian monasteries in Schleswig-Holstein
For Rügen, see List of Christian monasteries in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Religious houseLocationRegionDedicationOrderNotes
Åhus PrioryÅhus[7] SkåneDominican friars1250–1536
Bäckaskog Abbey (Danish: Bækkeskov)Kristianstad MunicipalitySkånePremonstratensian canonsc.1225-1537; community formerly at Væ (Vä)
Bosjø Abbey (Danish: Bosø)Höör MunicipalitySkåneBenedictine monks or nunsc.1175-1536
Börringe Priory (Danish: Børringe)Skåneinitially Benedictine monks, replaced c.1231 by Benedictine nunsc.1150-1536
Dalby Abbey, previously Dalby PrioryDalbySkåneCluniac monks; replaced mid-12th century by Augustinian canonsc.1060-1537
Helsingborg PrioryHelsingborgSkåneDominican friars1235-1537
Herrevad AbbeyLjungsbyhedSkåneCistercian monksc.1140-1536
Landskrona PrioryLandskronaSkåneCarmelite friars1410–1530
Lund AbbeyLundSkåneBenedictine monks1080-1537
St. Peter's Priory, LundLundSkåneSaint PeterBenedictine nuns1166-1537
St. Mary's Priory, LundLundSkåneSaint MaryDominican friars1223-1530
St. Catherine's Priory, LundLundSkåneSaint CatherineFranciscan friars1238–1537
Trinity Priory, LundLundSkåneHoly TrinityPremonstratensian canons1160?-1200
Malmø FriaryMalmöSkåneFranciscan friars1419–1530
Hospital of the Holy Ghost, MalmøMalmöSkåneHoly GhostOrder of the Holy Ghost1475–1529
Öved Abbey (Danish: Øved), now ÖvedsklosterSjöboSkånePremonstratensian canons1160-1535
Tommarp AbbeyTommarp (Danish: Tommerup)SkånePremonstratensian canons1150-1536
St. George's Hospital, Tommarp Tommarp (Danish: Tommerup)SkåneSaint Georgeorder unknown (possibly a fraternity)1285-1536?
Trelleborg FriaryTrelleborgSkåneFranciscan friars1267–1532
Turkø FriaryTurkøSkåneFranciscan friars1489–1530
Vä Abbey (Danish: near Kristianstad)SkånePremonstratensian canons 1170–1213; community re-settled at Bækkeskov [Bäckaskog]
Ystad FriaryYstad (Danish: Ysted)SkåneFranciscan friars1267–1532
Ås AbbeyVarberg MunicipalityHallandCistercian monks1194-1536
Halmstad FriaryHalmstadHallandFranciscan friars1494-153
St. Catherine's Priory, HalmstadHalmstadHallandDominican friarsc.1260-1531
Varberg PrioryVarbergHallandCarmelite friars1470–1530

See also List of Christian monasteries in Sweden

Sources

Notes and References

  1. including former Danish territories now in Germany and Sweden
  2. in 1475 it was intended to establish a Carthusian monastery here, but the endowment was insufficient, so a house of the Hospitaller Order of the Holy Ghost was founded instead
  3. possibly a Benedictine monastery in the 12th century
  4. or possibly Priory
  5. or possibly Abbey
  6. conventionally, the town is Mohrkirch but the hospital and convent Mohrkirchen
  7. otherwise Aahus