Architecture

White, shining, classical buildings, the modern glass and steel construction of the "Museumsstraße" and the red brick library of the monastery  – an attractive grouping directly on the historical market square of the old Hanseatic and university town of Greifswald, surrounded by historical ramparts and secluded gardens and courtyards. Shortly after 1250, the first buildings of the Franciscan friary were erected. During the Reformation, the town council seized possession of the buildings. From 1793 – 1795 the town’s school was built on the foundations of the friary church. The architect was J. G. Quistorp, Caspar David Friedrich’s art teacher, no less. Soon afterwards, the buildings´functions changed again, and today they house the picture gallery. In 1845, one of the most modern poorhouses and old peoples’ homes in New West Pomerania was established, and given the name ‘Grey Friary’ (after the Franciscan monks’ grey habit). Today the museum’s main building contains permanent exhibitions with the themes history of the earth and local Pomeranian history, as well as the entire service area including a foyer, café and gift shop. The mediaeval complex surrounding the friary’s church is reserved for special exhibitions and the museum’s education department. All historical buildings are connected by a multifunctional, all-glass alleyway, the so-called Museumsstraße. This accommodates the conference and special events section of the museum. You can trace the boundaries of the former historic Franciscan friary along the town’s fortifications in the cloister garden, which features an erratic arrangement of boulders (Findlingsgarten), and along the generous expanse of the museum’s granite forecourt; It is an historic place, which has grown and developed over time, a place of many faces, which invites the wider public to enjoy our varied programme. We are a Museum & more!