Wurmsbach Abbey
Wurmsbach Abbey(Kloster Mariazell-Wurmsbach) is amonasteryofCistercian nunslocated inBollingen,a locality ofRapperswil-Jona,in theCanton of St. Gallen,Switzerland.It is located on the north shore ofupper Lake Zürich.The house is a part of the Order ofCisterciansof the Common Observance (O.Cist.).
History
[edit]Count Rudolf of Rapperswilgave his castle of Wurmsbach together with a considerable area of land in 1259 for the foundation of a religious house and the abbey was established. It was initially adependencyof the CistercianmonksofAbbey of St. UrbaninWettingen.The abbey church was dedicated in 1281.Bollinger Sandsteinwas used for the construction of the abbey by dedicated quarries.
Elisabeth von Rapperswildied probably on 10 April 1309 in theRapperswil Castleand may have been buried in theWurmsbachnunnery (†. Apr. IV. Idus: Elizabeth die Graffin, vnser Stiffterin. Excerpta ex Necromonast. Wurmspacensis) onOberseelake shore.[1]The graves of her younger brother Vinzenz and her mother were excavated in the nunnery,[2]but Elisabeth's grave so far was not discovered.
During the firstBattle of Villmergenin 1656 and again during the occupation of the region by theFrench Revolutionary Armyin 1799, the nuns were obliged to flee. On both occasions the abbey was completely pillaged, with the consequence that there are few treasures left.
As of 2011, there are 15 nuns in the community, led by Abbess Monika Thumm, O.Cist.
Sights
[edit]The abbey is renowned for its location at the lake side. It overlooksuper Lake Zürichand the church is listed as a building of historical significance.
Activities
[edit]The nuns run a secondary boarding school for girls. Gardening takes a great deal of time because the land owned by the abbey is considerable. The gardens are known for the herbal remedies grown.
Cultural heritage
[edit]The building is listed in theSwiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significanceas aClass Bobject of regional importance.[3]
References
[edit]- ^"Graf Rudolf III. und Elisabeth von Rapperswil"(in German). Argovia: Jahresschrift der Historischen Gesellschaft des Kantons Aargau 10/1879, in: retro.seals.ch.Retrieved21 August2015.
- ^Irmgard Grüninger."28"(PDF)(in German). Wurmsbach nunnery.Retrieved21 August2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^"B-Objekte KGS-Inventar"(PDF).Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Amt für Bevölkerungsschutz. 18 February 2015.Retrieved18 September2015.[permanent dead link]
External links
[edit]
- Official website(in German)
47°13′12″N8°51′54″E/ 47.22000°N 8.86500°E
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- 1259 establishments in Europe
- 13th-century establishments in Switzerland
- Religious organizations established in the 1250s
- Schools in the canton of St. Gallen
- Cistercian nunneries in Switzerland
- Monasteries destroyed during the French Revolution
- Buildings and structures in Rapperswil-Jona
- House of Rapperswil
- Tourist attractions in Rapperswil-Jona
- Cultural property of regional significance in the canton of St. Gallen