Tänikon Abbey, Former Cistercian monastery in Aadorf, Switzerland.
Tänikon Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Aadorf featuring the church of St. Bernhard and several conventual buildings from different periods. The complex remains architecturally intact and is now home to Agroscope, Switzerland's agricultural research center.
The site first appeared in records around 789 before becoming a convent for women in 1249, receiving substantial land grants from local nobility. These early gifts formed the foundation of the abbey's growth and economic influence in the region.
The community here demonstrated farming methods and ways of living with the land that became models for surrounding villages and continued to shape the region for centuries. People visiting today can see how a religious settlement shaped not just spirituality but also the practical knowledge that helped feed the area.
The site sits near the village of Ettenhausen and can be explored for its architecture, though note that parts of the grounds are used by a research facility. Plan ahead to confirm which buildings are open to the public and which areas you can freely explore.
Emperor Louis the Pious assigned the lands of Tänikon to the Abbey of St. Gall in 817, creating a lasting connection between these two religious institutions. This imperial confirmation had long-term effects on the place's importance and prosperity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
