A sterile container having a lower container part and an upper container part for closing the lower container part is provided. The lower and upper container parts define, in a closed position, a container interior. A sealing device is provided for gastight sealing of the sterile container in the closed position. The sealing device comprises a circumferential sealing element bearing against both the lower and upper container parts in the closed position. The sealing element comprises an upper container part sealing section with an upper container part sealing surface region bearing against the upper container part, and a lower container part sealing section with a lower container part sealing surface region bearing against the lower container part. The sealing device further comprises a pretensioning device for exerting a pretensioning force on at least the lower container part sealing section or on the upper container part sealing section.
