Institut Marini de Montet, Research and education center in Les Montets, Switzerland
The Institut Marini de Montet occupies a former noble castle in the canton of Fribourg and serves as an education and meeting center. The building contains different sections that reflect its varied purposes and can accommodate many guests for gatherings and workshops.
The story begins in 1887 when Countess Victoire de Marini donated her fortune to establish an orphanage. Throughout the 20th century, management changed hands among different religious communities until the Focolare movement acquired the building in 1981.
The name honors Countess Victoire de Marini, whose generous gift made the foundation possible. The spaces reflect the different chapters the building has lived through, from sheltering orphans to serving as a place for meetings and gatherings today.
The center is accessible and offers lodging and event spaces for groups and courses. Visitors should arrange a visit in advance, as the grounds are private and not freely open to the public.
The castle still shows traces of its school years through separate classroom areas designed for different age groups. Walking through, visitors can see how the building once organized education for multiple generations in distinct sections.
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