Klostret Ystad

The Ystad Monastery, also known as the Franciscan Monastery of Ystad, is a historic monastery in the town of Ystad in southern Sweden. It was founded in 1267 and is one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Sweden.

The monastery was founded by Franciscan monks, also known as "Grey Brothers" because of their grey robes. The Franciscans were a mendicant order dedicated to poverty and preaching. The monastery played an important role in the religious and social life of the region during the Middle Ages.

The monastery building is an excellent example of Brick Gothic, which was widely spread in northern Germany and Scandinavia. It includes a church, a cloister, living quarters for the monks, and various outbuildings. The church is particularly remarkable for its Gothic vaults and well-preserved medieval frescoes.

With the Reformation in the 16th century and the introduction of Protestantism in Sweden, the monastery was secularized. The monks had to leave the monastery, and the buildings were used for various secular purposes, including as a poorhouse and hospital.

Today, the Ystad Monastery is a museum and cultural centre. It houses exhibitions on the history of the monastery and the town of Ystad, as well as changing art exhibitions. The monastery garden is also an attraction and has been reconstructed based on historical models.