Kloster St. Martin, Medieval monastery complex on Zürichberg, Switzerland
Kloster St. Martin is a monastery complex with multiple stone buildings arranged around a central courtyard, situated on an elevated position overlooking Zurich. The layout forms a closed rectangular system where the church, living quarters, and work buildings are interconnected.
Founded by Rudolf von Fluntern in 1127, this religious community began its history on Zurichberg. During the 12th century, the monastery gained confirmation from top authorities of the church and empire, which solidified its importance in the region.
The monastery served as a center for copying and preserving texts during medieval times. Monks worked in their scriptoriums and built a library that documented religious traditions and monastic daily life.
The site can be reached by climbing the gentle slope of Zurichberg, with plenty of space to look around and explore the outer buildings. The former monastery restaurant offers a chance to experience the historical setting during a visit while observing the medieval architecture surrounding you.
Excavations in two different periods revealed the original foundations of the monastery church and auxiliary buildings from medieval times. These archaeological findings show how the complex was originally arranged and help understand the old structure better.
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