St. Johannsen Abbey, Benedictine abbey in Gals, Switzerland.
St. Johannsen Abbey is a substantial stone religious complex in Gals featuring traditional Benedictine monastic design with multiple wings and connecting corridors. The compound displays typical features of monastic layout including cloisters, residential buildings, and service areas arranged around central courtyards.
The monastery was founded as a Benedictine community and operated as a religious center for centuries before its closure in 1528 following the Swiss Reformation. After dissolution, the building underwent several changes in use before arriving at its present function.
The abbey was long a center of religious community life and continues to shape how people experience the surrounding landscape. Its buildings display the hallmarks of Benedictine design with characteristic cloisters and courtyards that reflect how monks organized their daily routines.
The site is not open to the public today as it houses a correctional facility and operates under security measures. Visitors can view the outer structures of the historic complex from outside and gain an impression of the architecture from a distance.
During the 1960s, restorers undertook extensive reconstruction work, carefully dismantling parts of the complex and reassembling them using original materials. This effort preserved the visual authenticity while demonstrating significant craftsmanship in maintaining the historical character.
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