Dominican Convent of Mary's Refuge

Maria Zuflucht Dominican Convent in Weesen (Dominikanerinnenkloster Maria Zuflucht) sits in the middle of the small town of Weesen on Lake Walensee, in the canton of St. Gallen. It is the oldest convent of Dominican nuns in Switzerland, with roots in the mid-13th century.

What is Maria Zuflucht?

A community of sisters is on record here from 1256, founded by Count Rudolf IV of Rapperswil. In 1259 the count exempted it from certain dues and endowed it with land. From the later 13th century the nuns probably lived under the Augustinian Rule. In the 15th century the house was dedicated to St. Verena; it took its present name, Maria Zuflucht ("Mary's Refuge"), in 1699.

The convent also shaped the town. Weesen was destroyed in 1388 after the Battle of Näfels, and in the early 1400s it was rebuilt as an open settlement grouped around the convent.

What can you see?

The complex stands at the foot of a terraced hillside, close to where the Linth river leaves the Walensee. The buildings you see today date from 1688 to 1690. Visitors can enter the convent church and the guest house. The enclosed quarters, library and archive are closed to the public.

The sisters run a bakery with a small shop, bake altar breads, and operate a workshop that makes candles and icons, which makes for an authentic souvenir from Weesen. The guest house takes women aged 18 to 40 for short stays in the rhythm of convent life.

How to plan your visit

Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the church as part of a stroll through Weesen. Pair it with the lakeside promenade and the Bühlkirche (Heiligkreuzkirche auf Bühl), a separate church in town and not the convent church. Check opening hours, Mass times and guest-house booking with the sisters before you go.

How to get there

Weesen lies on the railway line along the Walensee, and the convent is a short walk from the centre and the stops. The town has good connections to Zurich and Glarus, and drivers can reach it by the A3 motorway along the lake.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the convent in Weesen?

Yes, but only the church and the guest house. The sisters' living quarters, library and archive are not open.

When was the convent founded?

The community is documented from 1256. The current buildings went up in 1688 to 1690, and the name Maria Zuflucht dates from 1699.

Can I buy anything from the sisters?

Yes. The convent has a bakery and a workshop producing candles and icons.

Who can stay in the guest house?

Short stays are offered to women aged 18 to 40.