Kloster Namen Jesu

Kloster Namen Jesu in Solothurn is a Capuchin nunnery on the north-eastern edge of the Swiss town's old centre, at Herrenweg 2. Its early 17th-century buildings have survived largely intact and are under cantonal heritage protection.

What kind of convent is it?

Namen Jesu (Latin: Nominis Jesu) is home to Capuchin Poor Clares, the women's branch of the Capuchin order. It is one of the Counter-Reformation convents that ring the old town of Solothurn. Others in that ring include the Capuchin friary in the Loreto district and the Visitation sisters' house to the north-west.

When was it founded?

The community dates from 1609. At first the sisters lived in temporary quarters in town, then in 1618 they moved into a newly built convent on a rise called the Fegetz. The convent buildings and church went up between 1615 and 1620, and the first extension followed in 1660. The nunnery marked its 400th anniversary in 2009.

What can you see?

Much of the original layout and furnishing from the building period remains. The church and conventual wings give a clear picture of a Catholic reform foundation in a Swiss town. The church treasury includes a large gilded monstrance, featured in a book on Solothurn's sacred buildings.

This is a working convent, not a museum. Visitors mostly admire it from outside, and access to the interior depends on the sisters' rules. Check service times with the convent or the parish before you go.

What is it known for?

For roughly four centuries the sisters have baked altar bread, the wafers used in the liturgy. The Swiss news portal swissinfo has run a feature on the convent's bakery, which remains a key part of community life.

How do you get there?

The convent stands on Herrenweg, at the north-eastern edge of the old town (coordinates 47.214 N, 7.534 E). It is an easy walk from central Solothurn, and a visit pairs well with the other convents around the Altstadt.

Frequently asked questions

Which order lives at Kloster Namen Jesu? Capuchin nuns, the women's branch of the Capuchin order.

When was the convent built? The community was founded in 1609. The present complex was built in 1615-1620, and the sisters moved in during 1618.

Is it a protected monument? Yes, it is under cantonal protection. The canton of Solothurn has supported repairs, including the church vault in 2005 and the roof in 2008.

Can you go inside? It is an enclosed, active convent. Entry to the church depends on service times, so ask ahead.