Kloster Ingenbohl

Kloster Ingenbohl in Brunnen is the mother house of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, set on a hillside in the municipality of Ingenbohl just above Brunnen, canton of Schwyz. The grounds hold a convent church, a park and the sisters' cemetery, making it an easy, quiet walk near Lake Lucerne and a key site of Catholic central Switzerland.

What is Kloster Ingenbohl?

The congregation dates to 1856 and grew out of the work of the Capuchin Theodosius Florentini and Maria Theresia Scherer. Its roots lie in an auxiliary hospital in Chur, where Scherer served as superior. In 1856 a bishop's decision split the earlier institute into two congregations and named Ingenbohl the mother house of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross. Scherer became first Superior General in 1857 and led the community until she died in 1888. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1995, and the Deutsche Biographie records her burial in the crypt of the convent church.

Today the institute is an international Franciscan-oriented community under papal law, with roughly 2,600 sisters in 18 countries. In 2025 the convent hosted an exhibition for the 200th anniversary of Scherer's birth.

What can you see on the convent hill?

The best way to explore is the Klosterweg, a 1.12 km monastery trail that takes about 50 minutes. It is easy, has nine stations, starts at Haus Maria Theresia (Schönenbuchstrasse 2) and ends in the convent park. Stops include:

• the convent church,
• the Theresianum with its "Himmelsleiter" (stairway to heaven),
• a Lourdes grotto,
• the sisters' cemetery,
• a photo view of the parish church of St. Leonhard.

QR codes at the stations link to extra texts and videos, and a trail brochure is available as a PDF. The Hügel Café is the place to rest.

How do you get to Kloster Ingenbohl?

From Brunnen SBB station it is about a 10-minute walk (old cantonal road, Kirchweg, Klosterstrasse). Auto AG Schwyz buses stop at "Ingenbohl, Klosterstrasse". By car, leave the A4 at Brunnen and follow Schwyzerstrasse and Klosterstrasse; visitor parking is signposted from Klosterstrasse.

Can you go inside?

The trail's official page lists no fixed opening hours. Guided visits are arranged on request by calling 041 825 20 00, and more information is at kloster-ingenbohl.ch. This is a working religious house, so keep voices low and respect the sisters who live here.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Kloster Ingenbohl? The Capuchin Theodosius Florentini and Maria Theresia Scherer. The institute took its present form in 1856, with Scherer as its first Superior General.

Where is Maria Theresia Scherer buried? According to the Deutsche Biographie, in the crypt of the convent church at Ingenbohl. She died in 1888 and was beatified in 1995.

How long does the walk around the convent hill take? The Klosterweg is 1.12 km and takes about 50 minutes. It is easy and suitable for families.

Do you need to book? Not to walk the grounds, but guided visits must be arranged by phone.