Former Premonstratensian abbey

The former Gottstatt Premonstratensian abbey in Orpund, canton of Bern, Switzerland, was the only German-speaking abbey of the Premonstratensian order in its Burgundian circary. Its church still serves the local Reformed parish, and the complex stands on the River Zihl close to Biel/Bienne.

What is Gottstatt Abbey?

Count Rudolf I of Neuchâtel-Nidau founded the monastery in 1255 as a house foundation for his family. An earlier attempt in 1247, tied to the Swabian abbey of Weissenau, had failed. Canons arrived around 1260 from Bellelay, and Lac de Joux later acted as the mother house. The name Gottstatt grew out of the earlier place name Stadowe, where the community settled.

What is its history?

The abbey gathered church patronages in places such as Kappelen, Büttenberg, Sutz and Täuffelen. Its parish covered Orpund, Safnern and Scheuren. The abbey church dates from around 1300 and became the burial place of the Counts of Nidau. The last major building campaign took place under Abbot Konrad Meyer between 1504 and 1514.

Bern took over the lordship in 1388. During the Reformation in 1528 the community was dissolved and its estates passed to the city. Until 1798 the buildings housed a bailiff's office, the so-called small bailiwick of Gottstatt. The church became the parish church of a new Reformed congregation.

What can you see today?

Much of the ensemble survives, including the church, cloister and chapter house. The site is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites (ISOS). The grounds are split: the northern part with the church belongs to the parish, while the southern wing is privately owned and can only be viewed from outside. The Reformed Church has bought back the former monastic buildings piece by piece since 1965.

Plan Gottstatt as a short stop on a trip through the Seeland region. You can study the church exterior, the setting of the former monastery and the village of Orpund. The interior is mainly open during services and parish events, so check opening times with the Gottstatt parish in advance.

Why visit?

Gottstatt shows how a medieval noble foundation survived the change of confession and several centuries of new uses. For readers of Swiss history it is a rare Premonstratensian house in the German-speaking part of the country. The Zihl and the Nidau–Büren canal nearby also suit an easy walk or bike ride.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Gottstatt Abbey?

In the municipality of Orpund, canton of Bern, on the River Zihl near Biel/Bienne.

Who founded it, and when?

Count Rudolf I of Neuchâtel-Nidau, in 1255, after a failed attempt in 1247.

Is the church still in use?

Yes. Since the Reformation it has been a parish church, now Reformed. Confirm visiting hours with the Gottstatt parish.

Can I enter the whole complex?

No. The northern part with the church belongs to the parish, while the southern wing is private property.