Munkeby Abbey

Munkeby Abbey (Munkeby kloster) is a ruined medieval Cistercian monastery near the village of Okkenhaug in Levanger Municipality, in Norway's Trøndelag region. The church walls still stand, and a new monastic community now lives close by.

Where is Munkeby Abbey?

The ruins lie about 5 km (3 miles) east of the town of Levanger, at roughly 63.73° N, 11.39° E, far up in northern Europe. The name "Munkeby" means "place of the monks" in Norwegian.

How did the monastery begin?

Cistercian monks founded it in the 12th century, most often dated to between 1150 and 1180. It is regarded as the northernmost Cistercian house in the world. Some sources link its origins to English monks, who also founded other early Norwegian houses such as Hovedøya and Lyse.

The community did not last long here. After Tautra Abbey was founded in 1207, the monks and the monastery's assets moved there, and Munkeby served from then on as a monastic farm, or grange. An attempt in the 1470s to revive it as an independent monastery did not succeed.

What happened during the Reformation?

The monastery was closed during the Protestant Reformation. Its wooden buildings reportedly burned in 1567, and the stone church was partly used as a quarry. Sources give slightly different dates for when the building stopped serving as a parish church, all around the late 16th century.

What can you see today?

Only the church walls remain, mostly one to two metres high. The ruins are modest but readable: you can trace the layout of the church and picture the scale of the former abbey. The site has never been fully excavated, so much of its history is still unknown.

Since 1967 the land has belonged to Fortidsminneforeningen, the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, which looks after it. It is listed as a cultural heritage site.

Are there monks at Munkeby today?

Yes. A new Cistercian community, Munkeby Mariakloster, was founded nearby by monks from Cîteaux. The decision to establish it was made in 2007, and the monks moved in in 2009. The community makes Munkeby cheese, which has become its trademark.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the Munkeby ruins? They are about 5 km east of Levanger, near the village of Okkenhaug. A car from town is the easiest way.

Is the abbey still active? The medieval monastery has not existed since the Reformation. A new Cistercian community, Munkeby Mariakloster, operates close to the ruins.

Who looks after the ruins? Fortidsminneforeningen, the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, which has owned the site since 1967.

How much of the building survives? The church walls, usually one to two metres high. The other buildings are gone.

What makes the place special? It is considered the northernmost Cistercian abbey in the world, and today it pairs ruins with a living monastic tradition and local cheese.

Who is it for?

History lovers, fans of sacred architecture, and anyone who likes quiet, little-visited places. A visit is short, so it pairs well with a day exploring Levanger and the wider Trøndelag area.