Kapuzinerkloster auf dem Wesemlin

Kapuzinerkloster auf dem Wesemlin is a Capuchin friary on Wesemlin hill in Lucerne, Switzerland, at Wesemlinstrasse 42. Swiss architectural sources call it the most significant Capuchin monastery in the country, and the complex is listed as a cultural monument of regional importance.

When was the Wesemlin friary built?

Construction began in 1583, and the Capuchins are recorded as settling on the hill in 1584. The layout is rectangular, with the church along the north side. The conventual buildings were remodelled in 1674-75.

What is there to see?

The church is the heart of the site. Its choir is a former pilgrimage chapel of Our Lady dating from 1556, so it predates the friary itself. The nave followed between 1584 and 1588. The place is tied to the shrine of Unsere Liebe Frau vom Wesemlin (Our Lady of Wesemlin), and the resident friars look after its pastoral life.

The grounds also hold a historic library and the Provinzarchiv der Schweizer Kapuziner, the archive of the Swiss Capuchin province. The Wesemlin library is covered in scholarly manuscript catalogues, which shows its research value. Gardens and mature trees surround the buildings and are treated as part of the ensemble in recent architectural documentation.

What has changed recently?

Between 2021 and 2023 a residential building with 30 apartments was completed next to the friary. Marques Architekten designed it for people interested in spiritual questions. A Swiss foundation, set up in 2017, exists to house the friars assigned to Wesemlin and to support pastoral work and pilgrimage to the shrine.

How should you visit?

This is a working religious house, so expect a quiet place rather than a typical attraction. Wesemlin hill rises above the centre of Lucerne, which makes it easy to combine with a walk through the city. The provincial archive has its own contact address ([email protected]), and the Capuchins publish details about the library and archive at kapuziner.ch. Access to the collections requires contacting them in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Wesemlin friary?

In Lucerne, on Wesemlin hill, at Wesemlinstrasse 42.

How old is the church?

The choir is a former chapel from 1556, the nave was built in 1584-1588, and the friary was remodelled in 1674-75.

Is there a library on site?

Yes. The grounds hold a historic library and the archive of the Swiss Capuchin province.

Do friars still live there?

Yes. Capuchin friars live at Wesemlin, and a foundation established in 2017 supports their stay and pastoral work.