Rathausen Abbey Church

Rathausen Abbey Church (Klosterkirche Rathausen) sits in Ebikon in the canton of Lucerne, a few kilometres from central Lucerne. It was the church of a women's Cistercian convent that shaped the surrounding area for more than six centuries, and it now forms part of a restored complex of buildings.

What is the history of Rathausen convent?

The story begins in 1245, when a community of sisters from Horw moved to Riedholz near Ebikon. In 1251 the bishop allowed them to found a Cistercian convent, and around 1260 it was incorporated into the order. Spiritual oversight came first from Lützel Abbey and, from 1266, from St. Urban. Mary and Saint George were its patrons. In 1274 sisters from Rathausen set up a new community at Ebersecken.

Records note that the church was in poor repair in the mid-14th century and that the nuns collected alms to rebuild it. In 1528 the city of Lucerne took over supervision of the convent's finances. In 1588 the papal nuncio merged four Lucerne women's convents into Rathausen and Eschenbach, and in 1649 Pope Innocent X took the convent out of the order and placed it directly under the Holy See.

What happened after the convent closed?

The convent was dissolved in 1848. The sisters moved to Eschenbach in Schwyz, then to Vézelise in Lorraine, and in 1902 to Thyrnau near Passau. The canton used the buildings as a teacher training college (1849-1867) and then as a children's home with over 200 places, which ran from 1883 to 1988. Since 1990 the complex has belonged to a Lucerne foundation for people with severe disabilities (SSBL).

What can you see today?

The cantonal heritage office reports that demolition was seriously considered only a few years before the renovation. Thanks to its efforts the convent survived, and the conventual buildings became workshops for the foundation. The church keeps its sacred function and counts among the buildings that define the character of the whole site. The renovated complex and the foundation's new housing were officially opened in November. The convent once owned numerous farms and the Rotsee lake nearby.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

Rathausen lies at roughly 47.080 N, 8.312 E, between Lucerne and Ebikon. From central Lucerne it takes about a quarter of an hour by car or public transport. The site is in daily use by the foundation, so respect the grounds and any rules on site. Check church opening hours with SSBL or the Ebikon municipality before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Rathausen convent? A community of sisters from Horw who settled at Riedholz in 1245 and received the bishop's permission in 1251 to found a Cistercian convent.

Do nuns still live at Rathausen? No. The convent was dissolved in 1848, and the sisters moved to central Switzerland, then Lorraine, and in 1902 to Bavaria.

What are the convent buildings used for now? The conventual buildings house workshops of the SSBL foundation for people with disabilities, while the church remains a place of worship.

Is the church open to tourists? Access depends on the rules of the foundation and the parish. Check opening hours with SSBL or the Ebikon municipality first.