St. Magdalene Hermitage

St. Magdalene Hermitage (Magdalena-Einsiedelei) near Düdingen is a hermitage carved by hand into a sandstone cliff in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It sits above Lake Schiffenen close to the hamlet of Räsch, between Düdingen (French: Guin) and the city of Fribourg, and stretches for 120 metres.

What is this place?

The complex is a chain of rooms cut into soft molasse rock: a chapel, a sacristy, living cells and utility spaces. A hermit is already mentioned at Räsch in 1448, and from 1609 onwards records name a succession of recluses, known as the "brothers of the forest of St. Mary Magdalene". Most of the excavation was done by the hermit Jean Dupré and his helper Jean Liecht, who spent more than 20 years between 1680 and 1708 chiselling the rock by hand.

When was the chapel built?

Bishop Pierre de Montenach consecrated the rock chapel on 8 July 1691 in honour of Mary Magdalene. The last resident left in 1967. The site is rated a cultural asset of national importance, and the parish carried out major stabilisation work in 2005 and 2006 to prevent the cliff from collapsing.

What will you see?

Beyond the rooms the hermits carved, look down at the floor. Its uneven surface consists of fossilised dunes from a Tertiary sea roughly 20 million years old, exposed by erosion after the excavations. You walk over human labour and an ancient seabed at once. Outside, the view opens onto Lake Schiffenen, whose dam was completed in 1963. Before the reservoir the caves stood high above the Sarine valley floor; today they overlook the water.

How do you get there?

Walking is the best approach. A well-known hike leads from Düdingen along the lake to the hermitage and on to Fribourg (the Poya area). You can also combine it with a loop around the reservoir. Check the Fribourg Region hiking map or the website of the Düdingen parish, which looks after the site, for the exact route.

When should you visit?

The hermitage is open from 1 April to 31 October. Entry is free, and the parish asks for voluntary donations towards upkeep. The interior is cool and damp, so bring a warm layer even in summer, and sturdy shoes for the lakeside paths.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee?

No. Entry is free; donations are welcome.

How long is the complex?

The carved rooms total about 120 metres.

Who carved the hermitage?

Mainly the hermit Jean Dupré and his companion Jean Liecht between 1680 and 1708, although hermits lived here earlier.

When is it open?

From 1 April to 31 October; it is closed the rest of the year.