Jerichow Monastery

The Jerichow Monastery is a former Premonstratensian monastery located in the northern outskirts of Jerichow, near the shores of the Elbe River, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt of Germany.Founded by the Premonstratensians, it was not a monastery but the Collegiate Church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas. Built in the Late Romanesque style, it is one of the oldest brick buildings in northern Germany and a prime example of the Brandenburg style of brick architecture. It is one of the stops of the "Romanesque Road".The Collegiate ChurchThe Jerichow Monastery may look and feel like a cloister but it was actually a collegiate church with its own dormitory. That is because its founders and original occupiers were canons, not monks. These canons are secular priests who perform mainly pastoral duties, including the missions, and therefore do not live in seclusion. Nevertheless, because of its appearance, Jerichow is commonly mentioned as a monastery. In contrast, the structurally and canonically identical buildings next to the Cathedrals of Magdeburg, Havelberg and Brandenburg an der Havel are not described as monasteries. They are described as collegiate churches ( cathedral chapters ). In all four cases, they were handled by branches of the Premonstratensian Order, who were not monks but regular canons.