Grimmenstein monastery, Religious monastery in Walzenhausen, Switzerland
Description
Grimmenstein monastery is a religious community situated on the border between two Swiss cantons, with a church, residential quarters, and garden spaces. The Church of St. Ottilia functions as both a monastic chapel and the local parish church serving the Catholic community.
History
The monastery was founded in 1378 by a group of Beguines and received construction permission near Grimmenstein Castle ruins in 1424. Over the centuries, it developed into an important religious center that continues to serve the local Catholic community today.
Culture
The Capuchin nuns maintain herb and medicinal plant gardens that shape daily life at the monastery, showing visitors how centuries-old traditions of natural healing continue in practice today.
Practical
The monastery is set in a quiet landscape and reaches via straightforward paths that invite exploration of the surroundings. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and honor the nuns' times of solitude and prayer.
Did you know?
The monastery grounds form an exclave of Appenzell Innerrhoden surrounded by Appenzell Ausserrhoden, an unusual territorial arrangement in Switzerland. This peculiar boundary dates back to 1870 and gives the site a distinctive geographic character.
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Burg Grimmenstein
1 km
Schloss Weinberg
1.6 km
St. Margaretha
1.5 km
Katholische Kirche Maria Geburt
1.9 km
Catholic church of St. Margaret at the Rosenberg
1.6 km
Reformed church
1 km
Wasenhof
1.4 km
Kloster St. Ottilia
7 m
Vorburg Castle
1.2 km
Farmhouse
1.2 km
Farmhouse with winepress
898 m
Heiden house
1.8 km
Farmhouse
1.7 km
Farmhouse
1.7 km
Duplex house
609 m
Farmhouse
1.4 km
Ferggerhaus
1.7 km
Former mill
1.4 km
Former mill
1.6 km
Residential building
2.1 km
Former Zwirnerei
2 km
Former vineyard farm
1.8 km
Farmhouse
1.3 km
Double farmhouse
1.6 km
Farmhouse
704 m
Double farmhouse
1.3 km
Rural factory owner house
1.4 km
Schlösschen Bergsteig
1.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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