Abbeys & churches

The internationally-renowned Convent of St. John in Müstair enjoys UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing and owes its existence and uniqueness to Charlemagne. It is one of the few existing architectural examples from the Carolingian period.

The sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso in Orselina above Locarno is the most famous place of pilgrimage in the Italian part of Switzerland. It is rooted in the ancient tradition of votive gifts.

The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland's most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The "Passion and and Crucifixion of Christ" is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes.

Neuenburg Castle and the collegiate church have shaped the townscape of Neuenburg since the 12th century. The architecturally striking building complex is enthroned on a rocky outcrop above the city.

Receive an unforgettable insight into the history of the Benedictine Monastery.

The Cathedral of St. Ursus - a significant, early classical baroque church with breathtaking views.

Climb the 365 steps and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the town of Fribourg.

The 8th-century St. Martin's Church was the site of John Comander's persuasive sermons in 1524, and became Protestant in 1525.

As a hospital, an orphanage or a hostel for craftsmen, Solothurn's Old Hospital has been a venue for people to meet and receive hospitality since it was first mentioned in the 14th century.

One of only two Protestant churches in Lucerne, St. Matthäus was the first, built in 1848 in a neo-Gothic style.

Frauenthal Monastery can be found in a secluded and scenic spot in the canton of Zug. It is considered to be the oldest Cistercian monastery in Switzerland.

The Abbey of Saint Maurice in Valais was built 1500 years ago as a place to honor martyrs. The pilgrimage destination was once the spiritual center of the Burgundy Empire and today houses one of the richest ecclesiastical treasures in Europe.

The Cistercian nuns at Maigrauge are ready to offer young women a temporary retreat in their cloister.

What’s special about the Rapperswil monastery is that guests may truly immerse themselves in the life of the community.

All year around, the church's caretaker, Beat Gmür, and the sextant Erich Sax are afoot and afield in the Ammler mountains to find the material for the enormous landscape of creches.

Founded in the 8th century, Disentis Monastery is today the spiritual and educational center of the Upper Rhine Valley (Vorderrheintal). A cultural history exhibition depicts the history of the Benedictine Abbey as well as ecclesiastical art.

Fischingen is the only lived-in monastery in the canton of Thurgau.

The Old Town of Lausanne has imposing buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, such as the famous Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The charming city on Lake Geneva has a lot to offer otherwise as well. For instance, Switzerland's first subterranean mountain train.

Due to its multicultural character, Geneva is often called the smallest metropolis. It has a lively Old Town with wine taverns, art galleries and antique dealers. The Cathedral of Saint Pierre sits on the peak of the hill on which the Old Town is located.

The Münster is one of Basel's main sights. Situtated in a promiment position high above the Rhine River, the former episcopal church presides high above the region.

The Franciscan Cloister of Mariaburg sits atop Burgstock hill in the heart of Näfels.

The Sacred Mountain (Sacro Monte) consists of the pilgrimage church of Santa Maria Addolorata and the Way of the Cross leading from Brissago up the hill to this church.

The Abbey of St. Gall has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, and has plenty of impressive treasures just waiting to be discovered in its library, vaulted cellar and new exhibition hall.

On 18 May 1478 the people of Zug, under the direction of Hans Felder, laid the foundation stone for this late-Gothic church. The main entrance is flanked up on the left and right by the city’s patron saints, Oswald and Michael.

The abbey church of Payerne, which was founded in the 11th century by Cluniac monks, is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and building technology of the period. The abbey church, the 14th century parish church facing it, and the adjacent buildings together form a noteworthy unity.

In the 16th century, the architect Ulrich Ruffiner built the St. Romanus fortified church on the rock spur above Raron. Almost 500 years later, the people of Raron opened the cavernous St. Michael rock church. Together with the grave of the poet Rilke, the pair of churches are a magnet for tourists in the community in Valais.

Beautiful former monastery on Rheininsel – the brilliance and richness of the magnificent interior of the baroque building are overwhelming. The monastery church is one of the most significant Swiss sacred buildings.

St. Martin’s Church is the heart of the Catholic parish in Olten. This is where the community comes to worship.

Built in the late 15th century, Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most precious churches in Ticino.

The Burial Church of Santa Maria is one of the most precious sacred buildings in the Canton of Graubünden.

The Cathedral of Mary's Ascension is the focal point of Chur's Bishop's Court. This diocese dates back to late Roman times, making this the oldest still functioning bishopric north of the Alps.

Ittingen Charterhouse, a former Carthusian monastery with more than 850 years of history, is one of the most important cultural sites in the region.