Lazariterkirche Gfenn, Romanesque church in Gfenn, Dübendorf, Switzerland
The Lazariterkirche Gfenn is a medieval stone building with a rectangular main space and recessed choir, featuring three round-arched doorways on its exterior. Inside, the walls hold paintings from the Middle Ages, and the building continues to serve for weddings and concerts.
Founded in the 13th century as part of the Order of Lazarus, this church served a religious community that also operated a hospital for people with leprosy in the surrounding area. The building stands as a surviving example of medieval charitable institutions connected to monastic life.
The medieval wall paintings inside tell stories of faith from centuries ago and shape how the space feels when you enter. These images remain an active part of the church's character and help visitors understand what mattered to people back then.
The church is accessible from the outside at any time, and a small village nearby offers easy connections to public transport. It is helpful to plan ahead, since the building regularly hosts events and may have limited access during ceremonies.
The high entrance door once connected to the nearby convent building via a bridge, showing how the church and monastery were physically linked. This arrangement reveals how monks moved between their living quarters and the place of worship without stepping outside.
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