St. John's Abbey in the Thurtal, Benedictine monastery in Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann, Switzerland
St. John's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the Thurtal valley, set among Alpine mountains with stone buildings and a parish church. The complex shows how religious communities organized their living and working spaces during the medieval period.
The monastery was founded in the mid-12th century and received papal protection in 1152 under Pope Eugene III. A major fire in 1626 forced the monastic community to relocate, eventually establishing what became Neu St. Johann.
The monastery served as a center of learning where monks preserved and copied manuscripts for centuries. This role as a spiritual and intellectual hub shaped the identity of the valley community.
The site is accessible in a mountainous region with buildings visible from outside, though parts now serve educational purposes. Plan to view the exterior and surroundings, as not all areas of the complex are open to visitors.
The monastery's architecture still bears traces from different eras, making its long history visually apparent. Those who look carefully can see the changes between medieval and later building phases.
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