Cedynia Cistercian Convent

The Cistercian Convent in Cedynia was once an important religious and cultural site, located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, on a hill at Maria Konopnicka Street. It was founded before 1248 and most likely completed by 1278. Over the centuries, the convent underwent numerous renovations, which significantly influenced its architecture. Following the Reformation in 1555, the convent was dissolved, marking the end of the nuns' presence—they eventually left in 1611. For a time, the building housed a school for young women of noble descent, highlighting its educational role in the region. In later years, it was repurposed as the office of the Brandenburg elector. Its history was far from peaceful—the convent was destroyed by fire in 1699 but was quickly rebuilt. Over time, it took on new functions: it became a landed estate and, between 1811 and 1870, served as a postal inn. Until 1940, it once again functioned as the manor house of the estate owner. Unfortunately, in 1945, during wartime operations, the convent was burned down by Soviet troops. Restored between 1997 and 2005 by a private owner under the supervision of the Provincial Heritage Conservator, the building now serves as a hotel and restaurant—the preserved west wing houses the "Klasztor Cedynia" restaurant. The Cistercian Convent in Cedynia thus stands as a symbol not only of rich history and architectural transformation but also of the modern adaptive reuse of historical spaces in the spirit of cultural heritage preservation.