Today, the Altstadt Café is located in the 15th-century timber-framed former Poor Clares Convent.
The former Poor Clares Convent in the street Maschenstraße is one of the unique timber-framed buildings in Einbeck’s Old Town that is mainly built with quarry stone walls. It was first constructed in the 15th century (mentioned for the first time in 1471). After the huge city fire in 1540 it was reconstructed and later on, in 1582, it was privatized.
On the north side of the building, an impressive timber-framed construction is set on the Weser sandstone base.
The building formerly named “Süsternhus des hilgen Cruces” (Sister House of the Holy Cross) was dedicated to the Holy Cross and a branch of the Franciscans that probably emerged from the Beguines convent.
Only in 1489, after the nuns had been using Market Church on Einbeck’s Market Square, St. Alexandri Collegiate gave them permission to setup a chapel in the convent.
After the Reformation in the middle of the 16th century only 7 sisters remained in the convent, and little by little they died. Dorothee Eimen, the last of nun of the convent, died in 1582. After her death the building passed onto the Raven family as it may still be seen from the inscription above the entrance of the building.
No historic information about the building is available about the time until 1960 when teacher Fritz Bücker purchased the house. Bücker cared a lot for the preservation and modernization of the building. After his death in 1970, another family continued with this project.
Today, there are eight flats in the building of the former Poor Clares Convent, and in the former entrance hall the Altstadt Café may be found offering breakfast as well as coffee and cake for guests.
On the north side of the building, an impressive timber-framed construction is set on the Weser sandstone base.
The building formerly named “Süsternhus des hilgen Cruces” (Sister House of the Holy Cross) was dedicated to the Holy Cross and a branch of the Franciscans that probably emerged from the Beguines convent.
Only in 1489, after the nuns had been using Market Church on Einbeck’s Market Square, St. Alexandri Collegiate gave them permission to setup a chapel in the convent.
After the Reformation in the middle of the 16th century only 7 sisters remained in the convent, and little by little they died. Dorothee Eimen, the last of nun of the convent, died in 1582. After her death the building passed onto the Raven family as it may still be seen from the inscription above the entrance of the building.
No historic information about the building is available about the time until 1960 when teacher Fritz Bücker purchased the house. Bücker cared a lot for the preservation and modernization of the building. After his death in 1970, another family continued with this project.
Today, there are eight flats in the building of the former Poor Clares Convent, and in the former entrance hall the Altstadt Café may be found offering breakfast as well as coffee and cake for guests.
