Former Ittingen Charterhouse

Former Ittingen Charterhouse (Kartause Ittingen) stands in Warth-Weiningen in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. The old Carthusian monastery now works as a museum complex, a hotel and a working farm, so it suits a day trip as well as an overnight stay.

What is the history of Kartause Ittingen?

A knightly castle was built on this spot in 1079. In 1152 three descendants of the lords of Ittingen founded an Augustinian canons' house here, answerable to the abbey of St. Gallen. The Carthusians arrived in 1461 and shaped the place for centuries. Their legacy includes a colourful Baroque church and fourteen monks' cells, where each brother lived in his own small dwelling. The monastery was dissolved in the 19th century, and in 1977 the Kartause Ittingen Foundation took it over and carried out a multi-year restoration.

What is there to see?

• Baroque monastery church – the most lavish interior in the complex.
• Ittinger Museum – an exhibition on the monastery's history and the Carthusian way of life, with guided tours on selected dates.
• Thurgau Art Museum (Kunstmuseum des Kantons Thurgau) – the canton's art museum shares the same walls.
• Monks' cells and cloister – they show the daily rhythm of an order built around silence and solitude.
• The estate – its own cheese dairy (roughly six cheeses, plus yoghurt, butter and cream), vineyard and vegetable garden.

Can you eat and stay here?

Yes. The former monastery houses a hotel and restaurant, and produce from the estate reaches the tables and the shop. The foundation also runs the site as a social enterprise: around 60 people with special needs work in the hotel. It makes a good base for exploring Thurgau and the Lake Constance region.

How do you get there?

Kartause Ittingen lies in the municipality of Warth-Weiningen, north-east of Frauenfeld, at about 47.584 N, 8.867 E. You can drive (there is parking at the complex) or use public transport from Frauenfeld; check connections on the SBB journey planner.

When is the best time to visit?

The grounds and garden are open to visit year-round, but spring to autumn is the most pleasant, when the garden is in growth and the fields and vineyard are good for a walk. Check kartause.ch for museum hours and tour dates.

Frequently asked questions

Do monks still live at Ittingen? No. Monastic life ended in the 19th century, and a foundation runs the site today.

How many museums are there? Two: the Ittinger Museum on the monastery's history and the Thurgau Art Museum.

Can I stay overnight? Yes, the monastery has a hotel with a restaurant.

Can I buy local products? Yes, the estate produces cheese, wine and vegetables from its own operation.