Himmelpforten Abbey (Harz)
Encyclopedia
Himmelpforten Abbey was an Augustinian hermitage monastery in the Harz Mountains of Germany, halfway between Hasserode
(in the borough of Wernigerode
) and Darlingerode
. The name "Himmelpforten" means the "Gates of Heaven".
visited Himmelpforten on 6 August 1517, where he met his friend and fellow monk, the vicar general, Johann von Staupitz
, with whom he discussed the sale of indulgences. The Luther memorial tablet (Luthergedenkstein) erected in 1917 commemorates the meeting.
until his death in 1503.
Hasserode
Hasserode has been a quarter in the town of Wernigerode since 1907, a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Location :Hasserode lies at the foot of the Harz Mountains in the valley of the River Holtemme, whose upper reaches include the water cascade of the Steinerne Renne...
(in the borough of Wernigerode
Wernigerode
Wernigerode is a town in the district of Harz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Until 2007, it was the capital of the district of Wernigerode. Its population was 35,500 in 1999....
) and Darlingerode
Darlingerode
Darlingerode is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 July 2009, it is part of the town Ilsenburg.-Overview:...
. The name "Himmelpforten" means the "Gates of Heaven".
History
The monastery was founded in 1253 by the lords of Hartesrode in a sheltered, wooded valley, northwest of Hasserode. They chose this site because Hermits of St. William had previously resided here. The Augustinians bred fish and even grew vineyards. Martin LutherMartin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
visited Himmelpforten on 6 August 1517, where he met his friend and fellow monk, the vicar general, Johann von Staupitz
Johann von Staupitz
Johann von Staupitz was a theologian, university preacher, Vicar-General of the Augustinian Order in Germany who supervised Martin Luther during a critical period in that man's spiritual life. Martin Luther himself remarked, "If it had not been for Dr...
, with whom he discussed the sale of indulgences. The Luther memorial tablet (Luthergedenkstein) erected in 1917 commemorates the meeting.
Personalities
Andreas Proles worked in the monastery as a priorPrior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
until his death in 1503.