Former Abbey Königsfelden, Medieval monastery in Windisch, Switzerland
The Former Abbey Königsfelden is a monastery complex in Windisch that once housed Franciscan friars and Poor Clare nuns in separate sections. The buildings display typical medieval architecture with a church, residential quarters, and a cloister.
Elizabeth of Carinthia founded the monastery in 1310 as a memorial to her husband, King Albert I of Germany, who was murdered near this location in 1308. The site remained an important religious center for centuries afterward.
The monastery church displays stained glass windows from the 14th century that rank among Switzerland's most valuable medieval artworks. Visitors can view these works in their original architectural setting and experience the artistic quality of that era.
The monastery is now part of Museum Aargau and can be visited through guided tours and exhibitions focusing on religious life and Habsburg history. Visitors should plan enough time to explore the church and exhibition spaces thoroughly.
A significant portion of the former monastery complex has functioned as a psychiatric clinic since 1868, while the church section was preserved as a museum. This unusual dual use shaped the site in distinctive ways and shows how religious buildings adapted to new purposes.
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