Oetenbach nunnery

Oetenbach nunnery was a Dominican convent in central Zurich that comprised several residential buildings, a church, and gardens enclosed within medieval city walls. The grounds sat near the Limmat River and occupied a compact space within the urban layout.

The nunnery was founded in 1201 with backing from the House of Rapperswil but later moved from its original location at Zürichhorn. The relocation happened because the initial site could not accommodate the needed structures.

The nunnery brought together women from different walks of life who lived according to Dominican principles within the medieval city. This community shaped religious practice in Zurich during the Middle Ages.

The only surviving structure from the nunnery complex now stands at Bahnhofquai 3, where it serves as Zurich city police headquarters. You can view the building from the street, though interior access depends on special occasions.

Wooden wall panels from the nunnery dormitory have been preserved since 1894 at the Swiss National Museum, showcasing the craftsmanship of the period. This interior element stands as one of the few surviving traces of daily life within the convent walls.