Stadt Buxtehude

Altkloster & Neukloster

Buxtehude was officially founded in 1285, although a settlement had existed there since the 10th century. It was granted city rights in 1328 and joined the Hanseatic League in 1363. During that time it was under the secular jurisdiction of the Archbishopric of Bremen (although ecclesiastically, it was associated with the Bishop of Verden until 1644).

 

A monastery was founded adjacent to the Buxtehude settlement in 1197. Another was founded a few miles west in 1286. The former became known as Altkloster and the latter as Neukloster (with “bei Buxtehude” attached whenever needed to clarify their location). Both were outside the jurisdiction of Stadt Buxtehude and had secular jurisdiction over their territory. Both were secularized by Sweden during the Thirty-Years War, their territories were turned over to Swedish citizens, and were each given the status of Herrschaft. In 1681, the status of each was upgraded to that of Amt.