Convent of the Dominican nuns of Estavayer, Dominican monastery in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland
The convent of the Dominican nuns in Estavayer is a religious community building anchored by a chapel constructed from Molière shell sandstone and Hauterive limestone following traditional Swiss methods. The chapel serves as the focal point of the complex, displaying craftsmanship that has endured for centuries.
The convent was founded in 1686, anchoring it in the Catholic Reformation era of that period. Inside stands a triptych by Hans Geiler created in 1521, which serves as the central reredos and connects the space to earlier artistic traditions.
Dominican nuns living here continue their order's spiritual practices through daily prayer and community life that shapes the rhythm of the convent. Visitors can sense this living faith woven into the daily routines within the chapel walls.
The convent sits near the southern entrance of Estavayer-le-Lac and is easily reached on foot from the town center. Plan your visit around the community's worship schedule, as prayer times and religious services may affect when you can enter the chapel.
Raymond Mirande's tabernacle and Bernard Schorderet's stained glass windows from the 1970s sit alongside the much older Hans Geiler artwork, creating an unexpected dialogue between centuries. This layering shows how the space has welcomed artistic additions across different eras.
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