Freiburg Charterhouse

Freiburg Charterhouse, known in German as Kartause Freiburg, is a former Carthusian monastery situated in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Its history spans from its founding in the mid-14th century through periods of expansion, disruption, dissolution, and subsequent repurposing.

History and Development

Founded in 1345 or 1346 by Johannes Schnewlin, a prominent knight and the Bürgermeister of Freiburg, the monastery was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, echoing the dedication of the Grande Chartreuse in Grenoble. Initially a modest establishment with only two monks' cells, it gradually expanded through endowments to accommodate twelve monks. The early 16th century saw significant architectural additions, including the refectory and a church constructed in the Late Gothic style, notable for its ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, and magnificent stained glass windows designed by the Swabian painter Hans Baldung Grien.

Freiburg Charterhouse maintained a vital connection with the University of Freiburg. From 1502 to 1525, Gregor Reisch, a significant figure in late Scholasticism and a university professor, served as prior. The monastery actively supported impoverished students and benefited from donations and novices originating from university circles. A substantial library was gradually amassed through the generosity of new entrants, university staff, and local clergy, with notable acquisitions like the library and estate of Otmar Nachtgall in 1537.

The monastery faced considerable challenges during the Thirty Years' War, with its monks seeking refuge in Ittingen Charterhouse in Switzerland due to the ravages of the Swedish army. Between 1753 and 1756, the complex was further enlarged with the addition of a grand Baroque courtyard and a guest wing. However, internal strife arose from the prior's ambition to attain the rank of prelate, a dispute that was eventually settled in 1781, shortly after the monastery suffered a serious fire the previous year.

Emperor Joseph II's decree in 1782 led to the dissolution of all Carthusian monasteries, including Freiburg. Its buildings and lands were transferred to the state and subsequently sold to the Baron von Baden in 1783. The monastery's valuable library was dispersed, with only a few incunabula now traceable in the library of Freiburg University. The stained glass windows were also sold off to various villages.

Later History and Current Use

Following its dissolution, the buildings were converted into a country house for nobility, with the former prior's lodging serving as the main residence. The monastic cloisters and cells were demolished to create a park, though the church remained. In 1894, the charitable foundation of Freiburg acquired the property and, between 1895 and 1897, transformed it into a nursing home for 200 almspeople, an extension of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost. In 1897, priest Heinrich Hansjakob was granted three rooms as a memorial, which are preserved to this day. In 1969, the nursing home relocated to a new facility. Since 2014, the historic buildings and grounds of Freiburg Charterhouse have been home to the Robert Bosch United World College, an international educational institution.