List of Christian monasteries in Switzerland

This is a list of current and former Christian religious houses in Switzerland for either men or women.[1]

Contents

* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z

## A

[edit]

* All Saints Abbey (Kloster Allerheiligen) (dissolved), at Schaffhausen: Benedictine monks (1049/50-1529)
* Au Abbey (Kloster Au or Kloster in der Au), at Trachslau near Einsiedeln (Schwyz): initially 4 independent women's communities first documented in 1359; became a single community in Vordere Au c.1530; became Benedictine nuns in 1617 under Einsiedeln Abbey; raised to the status of abbey in 1984; extant[2]
* Ayent Priory (Prieuré d'Ayent, Prieuré de Saint-Romain) (dissolved), at Ayent (Valais): Benedictine monks (before 1107-1620)

## B

[edit]

* Baulmes Priory (Prieuré de Baulmes, Prieuré Saint-Marie, Prieuré Notre-Dame et Saint-Michel) (dissolved) at Baulmes (Vaud): Rule of St. Columbanus, later Benedictine monks (652-before 1123); Cluniacs (before 1123-1536/37)[3]
* Beerenberg Abbey or Mariazell Abbey (Kloster Mariazell am Beerenberg) (dissolved), at Wülflingen (Winterthur): hermitage (1318-1355); Franciscan friars (1355–65); Augustinian Canons (1365-1527/28)
* Beinwil Abbey (Kloster Beinwil) (dissolved),[4] at Beinwil (Solothurn): Benedictine monks (1085-1554)
* Bellelay Abbey (Abbaye de Bellelay) (dissolved), at Bellelay (Bern): Premonstratensians (1136-1797)
* Bellerive Abbey (Abbaye de Bellerive) (dissolved), at Collonge-Bellerive (Geneva): Cistercian nuns (1150-c.1542)
* Bellevaux Abbey (Abbaye de Bellevaux) (dissolved), at Lausanne (Vaud): Cistercian nuns (founded 1267/68; Cistercian from 1274x1293-1536)
* Bellinzona (Ticino):
* Collegiate church (founded before 1168; extant)
* Augustinian Canons (1444/45-1811/12)
* Santa Maria della Grazie: Franciscan friars (1481x83-1848)
* Jesuits (1646-1675)
* Benedictine priory: monks (1675-1852)
* Ursuline nuns (1730-1848)
* Benken Abbey (Kloster Benken) (dissolved), at Benken (St. Gallen): monks of unknown order, possibly Benedictine (before 741-mid/late 9th century)
* Berlai Priory or Mont-Berlai Priory (Prieuré de Berlai, Prieuré Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Berlai) (dissolved), at Avenches (Vaud): Benedictine monks (founded before 1134; deserted by 1216)
* Blonay Priory (Prieuré de Blonay) (dissolved), at Blonay (Vaud):[5] Benedictine monks (before 1210-1536)
* Bollingen Priory (Kloster Bollingen) (dissolved), at Bollingen (St. Gallen): Cistercian nuns, later Premonstratensian nuns (founded shortly after 1229; dissolved 1267)[6]
* Bonmont Abbey (Abbaye de Bonmont) (dissolved), at Chéserex (Vaud): Cistercian monks (1110x20-1536)
* Bremgarten (Aargau):
* Capuchin friary, Bremgarten (dissolved): Capuchins (1617-1841)
* St. Clare's Priory, Bremgarten (Frauenkloster St. Klara) (dissolved): Beguines (before 1406); Franciscan Tertiaries (1406-1798)
* Broc Priory (Prieuré de Broc) (dissolved), at Broc (Fribourg): Benedictine monks (before 1228-1577)[7]
* Bubikon Commandery (Kommende Bubikon) (dissolved), at Bubikon (Zürich): Knights Hospitallers (1184x1198-1789)
* Burier Priory (Prieuré de Burier) (dissolved), at Montreux (Vaud): Benedictine monks (before 1163-1536)

## C

[edit]

* Cappel, see Kappel
* Cazis Priory, at Cazis (Grisons): canonesses or nuns (late 7th or early 8th century-1156); Augustinian canonesses (1156-1570); Dominican nuns (from 1647; extant)[8]
* Claro Abbey (Santa Maria Assunta di Claro), at Claro (Ticino): Benedictine nuns (founded 1490; extant)
* Churwalden Abbey at Churwalden (Grisons): Premonstratensian monks (founded around 1150; dissolved 1803/07)
* Collombey Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Joseph d'Arbignon), at Collombey-Muraz (Valais): Reformed Bernardine nuns (founded here[9] 1647; extant)
* Cossonay Priory (Prieuré de Cossonay) (dissolved), at Cossonay (Vaud): Benedictine monks (first half of the 11th century-1672)[7]

## D

[edit]

* Disentis Abbey at Disentis/Mustér (Grisons): Benedictine monks (founded mid-8th century;[10] extant)

## E

[edit]

* Ebersecken Abbey, later Priory (Kloster Ebersecken; Luther Thal) at Willisau (Lucerne): Cistercian nuns (1274/75-1588x1594)
* Einsiedeln Abbey (Kloster Einsiedeln) at Einsiedeln (Schwyz): Benedictine monks (founded c 900; extant)
* Engelberg Abbey (Kloster Engelberg) at Engelberg (Obwalden): Benedictine monks (founded 1120; extant)

(originally a double monastery; see Sarnen for the nunnery formerly part of Engelberg)

* Engental Priory (Kloster Engental) at Muttenz (Basel-Land): Cistercian nuns (before 1450-1534)[11]
* Erlach Abbey, also known as St. Johannsen Abbey (Kloster Erlach or Abtei St. Johannsen; dedicated to Saint John the Baptist) (dissolved), at Gals (Bern): Benedictine monks (1093x1103-1528)
* Eschenbach Abbey (Kloster Eschenbach), at Eschenbach (Lucerne): Augustinian nuns (1292/1309-1588); Cistercian nuns (from 1588; extant)

## F

[edit]

* Fahr Priory at Unterengstringen (Zürich) / Würenlos (Aargau): Benedictine nuns
* Feldbach Abbey or Priory (dissolved[12]) at Steckbach (Thurgau): Cistercian nuns
* Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu at Romont (Fribourg): Cistercian nuns; Trappists
* Fischingen Priory, formerly Fischingen Abbey, at Fischingen (Thurgau): Benedictine monks
* Fontaine-André Abbey at Neuchâtel: Premonstratensians
* Fraubrunnen Abbey (dissolved) at Fraubrunnen (Bern): Cistercian nuns
* Frauenthal Abbey at Cham (Zug): Cistercian nuns
* Fraumünster Abbey: see Zürich
* Frienisberg Abbey (dissolved) at Seedorf (Bern): Cistercian monks

## G

[edit]

* Genolier Priory (dissolved) at Genolier (Vaud): Benedictine monks
* Géronde Charterhouse (dissolved) at Sierre (Valais): Carthusians
* Glattburg Abbey aka St. Gallenberg Abbey at Oberbüren (St. Gallen): Benedictine nuns
* Gnadenthal Abbey (dissolved) at Niederwil (Aargau): Cistercian nuns
* Gottstatt Abbey (dissolved) at Orpund (Bern): Premonstratensians
* Community of Grandchamp at Boudry (Neuchâtel): Protestants
* Grandgourt Abbey at Grandgourt (Jura): Premonstratensians
* Great St. Bernard Hospice on the Great St Bernard Pass: Augustinian Canons
* Grimmenstein monastery: Third Order of Saint Francis nuns in Appenzell Innerrhoden
* Gubel, see Maria Hilf

## H

[edit]

* Haut-Crêt Abbey (dissolved) at Les Tavernes (Vaud): Cistercian monks
* Hauterive Abbey at Posieux (Fribourg): Cistercian monks
* Hermetschwil Abbey at Hermetschwil-Staffeln (Aargau): Benedictine nuns
* Herzogenbuchsee Priory (dissolved) at Herzogenbuchsee (Bern): Benedictine monks
* Humilimont Abbey at Vuippens-Marsens (Fribourg): Premonstratensians

## I

[edit]

* Dominican Convent, at Ilanz (Grisons): Dominican Sisters
* Château d'Illens at Rossens (Fribourg): displaced French Trappist monks from Laval 1903-14[13]
* In der Au, see Au Abbey
* Interlaken Monastery (dissolved) at Interlaken (Bern): Augustinian Canons Regulars
* Ittingen Charterhouse at Warth (Thurgau): Carthusians

## J

[edit]

* Jonschwil Abbey or Priory (dissolved) at Jonschwil (St. Gall): Benedictine monks

## K

[edit]

* Kalchrain Priory or Abbey (dissolved[12]) at Hüttwilen (Thurgau): Cistercian nuns
* Kappel Abbey (sometimes Cappel Abbey) (dissolved) at Kappel am Albis (Zürich): Cistercian monks
* Kleinlützel Priory (dissolved) at Kleinlützel (Solothurn): women religious, possibly Cistercian nuns; Augustinian Canons; Augustinian Canonesses
* Klingental Priory (dissolved) in Basel: Dominican friars
* Klingenzell Priory (dissolved) at Mammern (Thurgau): Benedictine monks
* Klingnau Commandery (dissolved) at Klingnau (Aargau): Knights Hospitallers
* Königsfelden Abbey (dissolved) at Windisch (Aargau): Franciscans and Poor Clares
* Kreuzlingen Abbey (dissolved) at Kreuzlingen: Augustinian Canons
* Küsnacht Priory or Commandery (Johanniterhaus Küsnacht) (dissolved) at Küsnacht (Zürich): Knights Hospitallers (1373-1531)

## L

[edit]

* La Lance Charterhouse (dissolved) at Concise, (Vaud): Carthusians
* Lac de Joux Abbey at L'Abbaye (Vaud): Premonstratensians
* Le Lieu (Vaud): monastery of unknown rule, possibly a hermitage
* Lucerne:
* Lucerne Abbey: Benedictine monks
* Franciscan friary, Lucerne
* Lully Priory (dissolved) at Bernex (Geneva): Benedictine monks
* Lutry Priory (dissolved) at Lutry (Vaud): Benedictine monks
* Lützelau Abbey or Priory (dissolved) on Lützelau island, Freienbach (Schwyz): nuns, order unknown[14]

## M

[edit]

* Magdenau Abbey at Wolfertswil, Degersheim (St. Gallen): Cistercian nuns
* La Maigrauge Abbey / Magerau Abbey (Fribourg): Cistercian nuns
* Mariaberg Abbey (St. Gallen): Built as a replacement for Abbey of St. Gall, destroyed before completion in Rorschacher Klosterbruch (1489), rebuilt as an administrative center
* Maria Hilf, on the Gubel, Menzingen (Zug): Capuchin Sisters
* Maria-Rickenbach at Niederrickenbach (Nidwalden): Benedictine nuns
* Mariastein Abbey, also known as Beinwil-Mariastein Abbey, at Metzerlen-Mariastein (Solothurn): Benedictine monks
* Mariazell, see Beerenberg
* Mariazell-Wurmsbach Abbey, see Wurmsbach
* Melchtal Abbey at Kerns (Obwalden): Benedictine nuns
* Mistail Abbey (dissolved) at Alvaschein (Grisons): Benedictine nuns
* Montheron Abbey (dissolved) at Montheron in Froideville near Lausanne (Vaud): Cistercian monks
* Mount Zion Abbey (Stift Berg Sion) at Gommiswald (St. Gallen): Premonstratensian nuns
* Moutier-Grandval Abbey (dissolved) in Moutier (Bern): Benedictine monks
* Münchenbuchsee Commandery (dissolved) at Münchenbuchsee (Bern): Knights Hospitallers
* Münchenwiler Priory (dissolved) at Münchenwiler Castle (Bern): Cluniacs
* Münsterlingen at Landschlacht (Thurgau): Benedictine nuns
* Muri Abbey at Muri (Aargau) (dissolved): Benedictine monks[15]

## N

[edit]

* Nyon Abbey or Priory at Nyon (Vaud): Benedictine monks

## O

[edit]

* Oetenbach Priory, Lindenhof: see Zürich
* Olsberg Abbey (Stift Olsberg) (dissolved) at Olsberg (Aargau): Cistercian nuns
* Oujon Charterhouse (dissolved) at Arzier (Vaud): Carthusians

## P

[edit]

* Paradise Priory (Kloster Paradies) (dissolved) at Schlatt (Thurgau): Poor Clares
* La Part-Dieu Charterhouse (dissolved) at Gruyères or La Tour-de-Trême (Fribourg): Carthusians
* Perroy Priory (dissolved) at Perroy (Vaud): Benedictine monks
* Peterlingen Priory (dissolved) at Payerne (Vaud): Cluniacs
* Pfäfers Abbey (dissolved) at Pfäfers (St. Gallen): Benedictine monks
* Posat Priory or Abbey at Posat (Fribourg): Trappist monks
* Predigerkloster, Neumarkt: see Zürich

## R

[edit]

* Rathausen Abbey or Priory (dissolved[16]) at Ebikon (Lucerne): Cistercian nuns
* Capuchin Friary, Rapperswil, at Rapperswil (St. Gall): Capuchin friars
* Rheinau Abbey (dissolved) at Rheinau (Zürich): Benedictines
* Romainmôtier Abbey (dissolved) at Romainmôtier-Envy (Vaud): Premonstratensian canons
* Rüeggisberg Priory (dissolved) at Rüeggisberg (Bern): Cluniacs
* Rüegsau Abbey (dissolved) at Rüegsau (Bern): Benedictine nuns
* Rueyres Priory at Chardonne (Vaud): Premonstratensian nuns
* Rüti Monastery (dissolved) at Rüti (Zürich): Premonstratensians

## S

[edit]

* St. Agnes' Abbey at Schaffhausen: Benedictine nuns
* St. Alban's Abbey, later St. Alban's Priory, (dissolved) in Basel: Benedictines, later Cluniacs
* St. Andrew's Abbey, Sarnen, see Sarnen
* St. Benedict's Abbey, Port-Valais, at Le Bouveret (Valais): Benedictines
* St. Bernard Hospice, see Great St Bernard Hospice
* St. Blaise's Priory (dissolved) at Basel: Benedictine monks
* St. Blaise's Priory, Stampfenbach (St. Blasianer Propstei Stampfenbach), Stampfenbach in Zürich: Benedictine monks
* St. Christopher's Abbey or Priory (dissolved) near Aclens (Vaud): Benedictine monks
* St. Gall's Abbey (dissolved) at St. Gallen: Benedictine monks
* St. Gallenberg Abbey, see Glattburg Abbey
* St. George's Abbey, Stein am Rhein, (dissolved) at Stein am Rhein (Schaffhausen): Benedictine monks
* St. Imier's Abbey (dissolved) at St. Imier (Bern): Benedictine monks, later men's collegiate foundation (Herrenstift)
* St. Jacob's Abbey im Prättigau at Klosters (Grisons): Premonstratensians
* St. John's Abbey in the Thurtal (dissolved) at Alt St. Johann, later Nesslau (St. Gallen): Benedictine monks
* St. John's Abbey, Geneva, (dissolved) at Geneva: Benedictine monks
* St. John's Abbey, Müstair, (dissolved) at Müstair (Grisons): Benedictine nuns
* St. Margaretenthal Charterhouse (dissolved) in Basel: Carthusians
* St. Martin's Abbey, Fluntern (dissolved) Fluntern, Zürich: Augustinian Canons (1127-1525)
* St. Maurice's Abbey at Saint-Maurice (Valais): Augustinian Canons
* St. Otmarsberg Abbey, also known as Uznach Abbey, at Uznach (St. Gallen): Missionary Benedictines
* St. Peter's Island (dissolved) small priory near Erlach (Bern): Cluniac monks
* St. Peterzell Priory (dissolved) at St. Peterzell (St. Gallen): Benedictine monks
* Saint-Pierre-de-Clages Priory at Saint-Pierre-de-Clages, Chamoson (Valais): Benedictine monks (12th century to 1580); Trappist monks (1793-96)
* Saint-Pierre du Mont-Joux Hospice (dissolved) at Bourg-St-Pierre (Valais): unknown[17]
* St. Sulpice's Priory at Saint-Sulpice (Vaud): Benedictine or Cluniac monks
* St. Urban's Abbey (dissolved) at Sankt Urban or Pfaffnau (Lucerne): Cistercian monks
* St. Ursanne's Abbey (dissolved) at Saint-Ursanne (Jura): Rule of St. Columbanus, later Benedictine monks, later a college of secular canons
* St. Wiborada's Priory (dissolved) at St. Georgen in St. Gallen: Benedictine nuns
* Sarnen Abbey, St. Andrew's Abbey, Sarnen, or Engelberg-Sarnen, formerly the nunnery of the double monastery at Engelberg, (extant) at Sarnen (Obwalden): Benedictine nuns
* Schänis Abbey (dissolved) at Schänis (St. Gallen): women's collegiate foundation (Damenstift)
* Schönenwerd Priory (dissolved) at Schönenwerd (Solothurn): unknown rule; later a men's collegiate foundation (Herrenstift)
* Schönthal Abbey, Basel, (dissolved) in Langenbruck (Basel): Benedictine nuns
* Selnau Abbey: see Zürich
* Sembrancher Abbey at Vollèges (Valais): Trappist monks and nuns
* Sion Priory or Abbey near Klingnau (Aargau): Benedictine monks
* Simplon Hospice on the Simplon Pass: Augustinian Canons
* Steinen Priory (Kloster in der Au, Kloster Steinen) (dissolved) at Steinen (Schwyz): Cistercian nuns (mid-13th century-early-mid 16th century); Dominican nuns (1575-1640)[18]

## T

[edit]

* Tänikon Abbey (dissolved[12]) at Aadorf (Aargau): Cistercian nuns
* Tedlingen Priory or Abbey at Radelfingen (Bern): Cistercian nuns
* Töss Monastery at Töss, now part of Winterthur (Zürich): Dominican nuns
* Thorberg Charterhouse (dissolved) at Schloss Thorberg, Krauchthal (Bern): Carthusians
* Thunstetten Priory or Commandery (Johanniterkommende Thunstetten), Thunstetten (Bern): Knights Hospitallers (1192–1528)
* Tobel Priory or Commandery (Johanniterkommende Tobel) (dissolved), Tobel-Tägerschen (Thurgau): Knights Hospitallers (1228–1809)
* Trub Abbey (dissolved) at Trub (Bern): Benedictines

## U

[edit]

* Uznach Abbey, see St. Otmarsberg Abbey

## V

[edit]

* Val de la Paix Charterhouse (dissolved) at Chandossel or Villarepos (Fribourg): Carthusians
* La Valsainte Charterhouse at Cerniat (Fribourg): Carthusians, later Trappists
* Vautravers Priory (dissolved) at Môtiers (Neuchâtel): Benedictine monks
* Vermes Priory (dissolved) at Vermes (Jura): unknown
* Villarvolard Abbey or Priory (Fribourg): Trappist nuns
* La Voix-Dieu Abbey or Priory at Plasselb (Fribourg): Cistercian nuns

## W

[edit]

* Wagenhausen Priory (dissolved) at Wagenhausen (Thurgau): Benedictine monks
* Wangen Abbey or Priory (dissolved) at Wangen an der Aare (Bern): Benedictine monks
* Weesen Nunnery at Weesen (St. Gallen): Dominican nuns[19]
* Werd Friary, formerly Werd Abbey, at Eschenz (Thurgau): Franciscans, formerly Benedictines
* Wettingen Abbey at Wettingen (Aargau): Cistercian monks[20]
* Widlisbach Abbey or Priory at Rüttenen (Solothurn): Trappist monks
* Wislikofen Priory (dissolved) at Wislikofen (Aargau): Benedictine monks
* Wonnenstein Friary at Teufen (Appenzell-Ausserrhoden): Capuchin friars
* Wurmsbach Abbey at Bollingen (St. Gallen): Cistercian nuns

## Z

[edit]

* Zürich:
* Fraumünster Abbey: Benedictine nuns (853 - 1524)[21]
* Barfüsserkloster Zürich: Franciscan friary (c.1253 - 1524)[21]
* Augustinerkloster Zürich: priory of Augustinian friars (c.1270 - 1524)[21]
* Predigerkloster Zürich, Neumarkt: priory of Dominican friars (c.1234 - 1524)[21]
* Community of St. Verena: Beguines (mid-13th century - 1524)[21]
* Oetenbach Priory, Lindenhof: convent of Dominican nuns (c.1237 - 1525)[21]
* St. Martin's Priory, Fluntern, also known as Zürichberg Priory (Kloster auf dem Zürichberg): Augustinian Canons (1127 - 1523 or 1525)[21]
* Selnau Abbey: Cistercian nuns (under the Rule of St Augustine 1256-59; Cistercian 1259 - 1525)[21]
* Zurzach Abbey (dissolved) at Zurzach (Aargau): men's collegiate foundation (Herrenstift)

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Despite their names, the Abbaye des Écharpes Blanches (Archived 2008-01-17 at the Wayback Machine) at Montreux and the Abbaye d'Echallens are not religious houses but very long-established shooting associations, founded for self-defence purposes
2. ^ Kloster Au website
3. ^ as a subordinate priory of Payerne
4. ^ later re-established at Mariastein Abbey and sometimes known as Beinwil-Mariastein Abbey
5. ^ the priory church was located in the neighbouring village of Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, which also belonged to the lords of Blonay
6. ^ united with Wurmsbach
7. ^ a b dependent on Lutry
8. ^ Kloster Cazis website
9. ^ previously at Saint-Maurice and Monthey
10. ^ the traditional date was 614, but archaeological investigation does not corroborate this
11. ^ apparently a re-foundation of a 13th century monastery
12. ^ a b c re-established as part of Mariastern-Gwiggen in Austria
13. ^ Histoire Fribourgeoise: Rossens - Une Commune de la Sarine expansion?. Manuel Greca, 2011
14. ^ possibly under the Rule of Caesarius of Arles
15. ^ the community was relocated at the old Priory of Gries in the South Tyrol (formerly Austria, now Italy) and is now known as Muri-Gries
16. ^ re-established at Thyrnau Abbey or Rathausen-Thyrnau in Bavaria
17. ^ the other hospices were run by Augustinian Canons
18. ^ Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz: Steinen (Kloster)
19. ^ "Geschichte" (in German). Dominikanerinnenkloster Maria Zuflucht. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
20. ^ the community is now based at Wettingen-Mehrerau Abbey in Austria
21. ^ a b c d e f g h dissolved during the Reformation in Zürich

## Sources

[edit]

* Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (in German, French, and Italian)
* Helvetia Sacra (in German and French)