Michaelstein Monastery

Michaelstein Monastery (Kloster Michaelstein)

It is more than 870 years ago that Cistercian monks settled in the northern Harz Mountains and founded a new monastery: Lapis Sancti Michaelis - Michaelstein. And for almost 50 years the monastery has been developing into a place of cultural diversity around nature, monastic history and music. Whether in a concert, a visit to a museum or one of the numerous events, there are always new facets to Michaelstein.

The former Cistercian monastery is now home to the Music Academy of Saxony-Anhalt for education and performance practice and attracts attention in the regional cultural landscape as well as in international professional circles through further music-practical training, outstanding concerts, musicological research and conferences.

In addition to the distinct focus on music, the entire monastery complex is now a tourist attraction. The different uses of the monastery buildings throughout the centuries have given Michaelstein its unmistakable image. The Museum Kloster Michaelstein is a multifaceted world of history, music and gardens.

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

People with restricted mobility and wheelchair users

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and partially accessible for wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

There are five designated parking spaces for people with disabilities in the monastery courtyard (across from the cloister).
The path from the parking lot to the cloister entrance—which includes the ticket office, cloister, and exhibition rooms—is 10 m long.
All buildings at Michaelstein Monastery are accessible without steps.
All rooms and facilities accessible to guests can be reached without steps, via ramps, or by elevator.
All doors and passageways accessible to guests are at least 90 cm wide.
Almost all outdoor paths on the grounds are at least 200 cm wide, are generally easy to walk and drive on, and have a maximum longitudinal slope of up to 4%.
Exceptions: Paths in the herb and vegetable garden are 100 cm wide.
Outdoor seating is available.
Groups of guests can book guided tours for people with disabilities upon request.
Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with mobility impairments to use during the tour.
The entire tour route is accessible to wheelchair users without steps.

Klausur

The ramp at the Klausur entrance has a maximum slope of 3% and a total length of 4 m.
The two ramps at the Kreuzgang entrance on the basement level (in front of and behind the door) have a maximum slope of 5% and a total length of 1 m each.
The elevator car to the basement and upper floors measures 108 cm x 140 cm.
The ticket counter is 77 cm high.
The exhibits in the music exhibition on the upper floor are mostly visible while seated.
The information about the exhibits is mostly readable while seated.
A public restroom for people with disabilities is available, which is accessible from both sides (at least 80 cm). Fold-down grab bars are available to the left and right of the toilet.

Music Barn

The elevator car leading to the restroom measures 300 cm x 170 cm.
There is a public restroom for people with disabilities that is accessible from both sides (at least 80 cm). There are fold-down grab bars to the left and right of the restroom.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with hearing impairments and deaf people

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

There is no clearly visible alarm.
There is no audio induction loop system.
An outgoing emergency call in the elevators is confirmed audibly.
The information on the exhibits is predominately provided in writing.
There is audible information on the exhibits.
Information on the exhibits is displayed photo realistically..
There are no guided tours available for people with hearing impairment and deaf people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with visual impairments and blind people

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

Assistance dogs are welcome.
Outdoor paths generally do not have visually high-contrast or tactile sidewalk boundaries.
All entrances are generally designed with high visual contrast.
Almost all areas surveyed and accessible to guests are illuminated with bright, glare-free lighting.
Exceptions: subdued lighting in the bandstand
There are no visually contrasting or tactile floor indicators in the indoor areas.
Signage is designed with clearly legible, high-contrast lettering.
An emergency call made in the elevators is confirmed by an audible signal. The stop position is not announced by voice. The control elements are designed with high visual contrast and are tactile.
Alternatively, stairs are available in the retreat area. Stair treads are not designed with high visual contrast.
Almost all staircases have handrails on both sides.
The exhibits in the galleries are generally well-lit.
Information about the exhibits is primarily provided in writing and is designed with high visual contrast.
Audio descriptions of the exhibits are available.
Groups of visitors can book guided tours for people with disabilities upon request.
Tactile exhibits are incorporated into the guided tours.
Information is not available in Braille or prism script.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

People with cognitive impairments

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

The name of the Monastery is not clearly recognizable from the outside.
The objectives of the paths are always within sight or signs in visible distance are available.
There is no colored or pictorial guidance system available.
The information on the exhibits is predominately provided in writing, but not in easy language.
Information on the exhibits is displayed photo realistically.
Groups of guests can book guided tours for people with disabilities on request.
The contents (e.g. exhibits) of the guided tour for people with cognitive impairments are easy to understand or are explained in a way that is easy to understand (e.g. visually).

Evaluation report: Download as PDF