Dominican Convent, Dominican convent in Ilanz, Switzerland

The Dominican Convent of Ilanz stands on a low hillside on the left bank of the Rhine in the Sankt Niklaus district. The complex, built to a 1969 design by Zurich architect Walter Moser, has four parts: the convent, the convent church, the Haus der Begegnung meeting house and a school now used by the Surselva Handelsschule. The white-walled church seats 300 and admits daylight through window openings of varying sizes.

The sister community was founded in 1865 by Johann Fidel Depuoz and Sister Maria Theresia Gasteyer, dedicating themselves to advancing education and supporting social welfare. The site became an important center for local communities in the region.

The convent belongs to the Congregation of the Ilanz Dominican Sisters, whose members take the religious name of a saint; founder Babette Gasteyer became Sister Maria Theresia. The Haus der Begegnung, opened in 1990 in the former boarding rooms of the Institute School, serves as a conference and education house with spiritual accompaniment and retreats. The sisters also support social and religious projects overseas.

The convent stands on a gentle hillside on the left bank of the Rhine, in the Sankt Niklaus (S. Clau) quarter above Ilanz, about 30 km west of Chur. The Haus der Begegnung, opened in 1990 in the former boarding rooms of the Institute School, has a meditation room and an auditorium seating up to 200. Visitors should arrange access to the complex in advance.

The convent church, seating 300, was designed by Zürich architect Walter Moser, whose plans date from 1969; he designed 17 monasteries across Switzerland in the modern style from 1960. Its white-walled interior, lit by window openings of varying sizes, recalls elements of Le Corbusier's work. The Haus der Begegnung, opened in 1990 in the former school's boarding rooms, has an auditorium for up to 200 people.