Franziskanerkloster Flensburg

The Franciscan monastery in Flensburg stands behind the Südermarkt near Rote Straße. Founded in 1263, it was once the seat of the first chapter of the new Franciscan province of Dacia in 1269. The brothers arrived along the trade route from the North Sea coast, possibly from Ripen or the Grey Friary in Schleswig. Known as Grey Friars for their grey habits, they followed the Discalceate rule and ran the Holy Spirit Hospital.

The monastery brought a new style of pastoral care to Flensburg. Its strict poverty contrasted with the growing wealth of merchants like the Flensburg Knudsgilde. After the Observants prevailed in 1496, the order abandoned its possessions. During the Reformation, the priest Svend expelled the friars in 1528 with help from citizens. The following year the Disputation in the monastery, chaired by the future King Christian III, decided the introduction of Lutheranism in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein.

Today the site houses an old people’s home. A small museum room displays remains of the monastery wall, once part of Flensburg’s fortifications, and other finds from the site. The former church wing still contains the converted refectory from 1585–87. Nearby Munketoftstift, built in the 19th century, echoes the monastery’s architectural style.