Kloster Seedorf

Kloster Seedorf (St. Lazarus Convent) is a working Benedictine nunnery in the village of Seedorf in the Swiss canton of Uri. Its baroque church and horseshoe-shaped complex sit near the southern tip of Lake Lucerne, close to the cantonal capital Altdorf. Uri's heritage inventory lists the ensemble as a cultural property of national significance.

Where does the convent come from?

The story starts in the first half of the 13th century, when Baron Arnold von Brienz (documented in 1219) founded a house of the Order of St. Lazarus and gave it land in Uri and the Haslital valley. The older dates of 1197 or "before 1215" rest on a 19th-century reading that the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland now questions.

By the early 15th century no men appear in the records, and the house had become a women's community. The Lazarite sisters died out in the plague of 1518 to 1526. In 1559, at the request of leading Uri families, Benedictine nuns from Claro moved into the run-down buildings. They kept St. Lazarus as chief patron, and the convent became a respected home for daughters of Uri's patrician families.

Oversight passed from the Bishop of Constance to the abbots of Einsiedeln and Muri, and from 1640 again to Einsiedeln. Secular priests served as chaplains until 1847, after which monks from Einsiedeln took over.

What is there to see?

The main sight is the baroque convent church, rebuilt between 1695 and 1697. The cantonal inventory counts it among the architecturally important churches of Uri. The convent wings curve around it in a horseshoe. Kaspar Barmettler was the master builder, and Caspar Moosbrugger of Einsiedeln advised on the interior decoration.

This is a living religious house. The sisters follow the Rule of St. Benedict, so expect a place of prayer rather than a museum. Public access to the cloister areas is not a standard offer, so check church access and any guided visits with the community or the Seedorf municipal office before you go.

Who looks after it today?

Since 2019 the Stiftung des Klosters St. Lazarus has handled upkeep and renovation of the complex, including the church, and aims to secure the community's finances. Swiss media have also reported that five Benedictine nuns from Oberbüren in St. Gallen are moving to Seedorf for a three-year trial, hosted by the St. Lazarus community.

How do you get to Seedorf?

Seedorf lies in the Reuss valley at the head of Lake Lucerne, right next to Altdorf. The convent is at roughly 46.88 N, 8.61 E. From Altdorf it is a short drive or bike ride, and the area lies on the approach to the Gotthard route.

Frequently asked questions

Do nuns still live at Kloster Seedorf? Yes. A Benedictine community has lived here since 1559 and follows the Rule of St. Benedict.

When was the current church built? The baroque convent church dates from 1695 to 1697.

Who founded the convent? Baron Arnold von Brienz founded a Lazarite house here in the first half of the 13th century. The Benedictines took over in 1559.

Can I visit the convent? It is an active convent, so confirm access and any guided tours with the community or the Seedorf municipality first.