The Burgkloster's past is eventful and at times, tragic. In 1229 the building of the Dominicans' cloister began and since the citizens of Lubeck granted rich donations to the pious friars, a splendid cloister complex with gothic church was built in the following 220 years. But in 1531, the church became Protestant, the cloister a poorhouse. And in the following years the building suffered neglect. The church, facing decay, was torn down in 1818, while the former confession house was converted into a gym in 1876. However, between 1976 and 1990 the Burgkloster was restored, but not without a great deal of expenditure. Today, it's a museum housing a permanent exhibition on Lubeck's trade history and also has various events and special exhibitions in the Gothic halls.