Uznach Abbey, Benedictine monastery in canton St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Uznach Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in canton St. Gallen set in rolling landscape near Lake Walen. The compound includes residential and outbuilding structures, a chapel, and open grounds where visitors can walk and enjoy the quieter surroundings.
The monastery was founded in 1919 by the Missionary Benedictines shortly after World War I to expand their work beyond German-speaking territories. This establishment reflected the community's broader effort to grow their presence in new regions.
The name refers to the nearby village of Uznach on Lake Walen, and the grounds serve as a living space where visitors can observe the monastic rhythm of prayer and work. Guests participate in services alongside the community, becoming part of the daily cycle.
Visitors should check ahead since visiting times align with the community's prayer schedule and need for quiet. It helps to move and speak softly to respect the monastic way of life that takes place here.
Since 2006 the monastery has run a foundation in Kazakhstan, showing how a small European community extends its support across continents. This international link is surprising for a Benedictine monastery in a relatively rural Swiss location.
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