Kloster Thalbach

Kloster Thalbach is a former Dominican monastery in Bregenz featuring a church dedicated to St. Anthony with a rectangular layout. The buildings contain architectural elements spanning multiple construction periods and styles.

Founded in 1436, the monastery underwent major renovations between 1674 and 1677 under architects Michael Kuen and Michael Thumb. These works transformed it into the rectangular monastic design it retains today.

The monastery church holds a notable 14th-century Madonna with Child sculpture that arrived from Kloster Mehrerau in 1592. This artwork reflects the artistic connections between religious communities across the region.

The monastery has been maintained by the religious community Das Werk since 1983 and serves educational and community religious activities. The grounds are best reached on foot and offer a peaceful setting removed from the busy town center.

The complex demonstrates the architectural shift from medieval to early Baroque styles through its symmetrical rectangular layout inspired by Escorial. This design makes it a rare example of such European architectural trends in the Alpine region.