Cistercian Abbey Magerau, Cistercian monastery in Fribourg, Switzerland
Cistercian Abbey Magerau is a monastic complex in Switzerland situated on a river at the boundary between French-speaking and German-speaking regions. The main church dates to the 13th century, while most other buildings date from the 17th century and line the waterway.
The monastery was founded in 1255 and received support from a local count whose backing helped establish it. In 1261 the community joined the Cistercian Order and came under the authority of another abbey in the region.
The name derives from the marshland that once surrounded this location, reflecting how the community adapted to challenging terrain. Today, visitors notice how the nuns maintain daily rituals and use both French and German in their work and prayers.
Visitors can stay overnight at the monastery guesthouse or browse the workshops where nuns make handcrafted products for sale. Access to the grounds is available during daytime hours, and it is respectful to be mindful of the community's daily routines.
The community of nuns operates an organic garden and produces handcrafted items that visitors can purchase from the shop. These goods reflect how the sisters blend age-old production methods with mindful farming practices.
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