DEUTSCHLAND	GERMANY
Bundesland: Brandenburg
Landkreis: Oder-Spree

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Neuzelle is situated at an elevation of 69 m near the river Oder, the border to Poland. Neuzelle has a population of about 4,600. Neuzelle is the seat of the administrative union Neuzelle which consists of the municipalities Lawitz, Neißemünde and Neuzelle.

The Cistercian monastery Nova Cella was founded in 1268 by Margrave Heinrich 'the Illustrous' of Meißen. The name goes back to the monastery Cella at Nossen; that monastery consequently later became known as 'Altzella'. In 1817, two years after the incorporation of Lower Lusatia (Niederlausitz) into Prussia, the monastery was closed and was converted into a state-owned foundation. However it continued to be a seminary and school. The Oder river was the site of severe battles towards the end of World War II. Luckily, the small town survied the battles without serious damages.

The former monastery church Sankt Marien [left, no. 2148: top picture, and right, no. 2264] was built in 1280–1330. In 1654–1658 the old Gothic church was rebuilt in late Mannerism style; in 1700–1741 it was remodeled in splendid Baroque style. The church serves as parish church for the Catholic congregation of Neuzelle. The building of the monastery itself were rebuilt several times, the last time in 1894–1897. The bottom left picture on glass no. 2148 [left] shows the Klosterteich (monastery pond). The bottom right picture shows a view of the hill Priorsberg.