Kloster Maria-Rickenbach, Benedictine monastery in Niederrickenbach, Switzerland.
Kloster Maria-Rickenbach is a Benedictine monastery in Niederrickenbach, Switzerland, comprising a chapel, residential areas, extensive gardens, and a small shop. The sisters grow herbs across the grounds and transform them into products that visitors can purchase on site.
The monastery was founded in 1857 when women seeking monastic life established their community in a converted farmhouse. By the early 1860s, it had been expanded into a complete religious complex with all necessary structures.
The monastery is a living place of faith where the sisters maintain their daily prayer practices, and visitors can sense this spiritual rhythm throughout the grounds. The community shapes the rhythm of the place through their regular practices and their connection to the herb garden that surrounds them.
The best way to reach the monastery is by cable car from Niederrickenbach village, which departs from near the train station and takes a short journey uphill. The grounds are walkable and comfortable shoes are recommended since some paths are steep.
The sisters produce their own gold liqueur from the herbs they grow, which has a distinctive flavor profile unlike commercial versions. This handcrafted liqueur is sold only at the monastery shop, making it a rare find elsewhere.
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