Cycling in Switzerland

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Hiking in the surroundings

Grenzpfad Napfbergland
Grenzpfad Napfbergland
Stage 1, Langenthal–Huttwil
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Cycling in the surroundings

Mittelländer Hügelroute
Mittelländer Hügelroute
Stage 2, Langenthal–Sursee
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Passwang–Oberaargau
Passwang–Oberaargau
Stage 2, Balsthal–Huttwil
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Alter Bernerweg
Alter Bernerweg
Stage 3, Burgdorf (Kirchberg)–Zofingen (Oftringen)
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Pfaffnau
Monastery of St. Urban

Monastery of St. Urban

The monastery dates from the year 1194 and is a monument of national importance with impressive Baroque and Cistercian 18th century architecture and culture. The church's choir stalls are an object of international interest.
The former Cistercian monastery of St. Urban was established in 1194 by monks from the Lucelle Abbey in Alsace with the support of the Oberaargau nobility. Over the course of its existence, the monastery evolved into a religious, intellectual and commercial center in the border region of the cantons of Bern, Solothurn, Aargau and Lucerne.

Over time, the medieval monastery was no longer meeting the needs of monks, despite multiple renovations and extensions; so, during the first half of the 18th century, they commissioned the Vorarlberg architect Franz Beer with the design and construction of a completely new monastery complex. Today, the monastery complex is one of Switzerland's most impressive examples of Baroque and Cistercian architecture and culture.

Monastery life came to an abrupt end in 1848, when the canton of Lucerne ordered the closing of the monastery to pay off the debt from the Sonderbund War. After having being used for various purposes over the years, the majority of the monastery complex is now used for cultural events, exhibitions and tours.
The monastery dates from the year 1194 and is a monument of national importance with impressive Baroque and Cistercian 18th century architecture and culture. The church's choir stalls are an object of international interest.
The former Cistercian monastery of St. Urban was established in 1194 by monks from the Lucelle Abbey in Alsace with the support of the Oberaargau nobility. Over the course of its existence, the monastery evolved into a religious, intellectual and commercial center in the border region of the cantons of Bern, Solothurn, Aargau and Lucerne.

Over time, the medieval monastery was no longer meeting the needs of monks, despite multiple renovations and extensions; so, during the first half of the 18th century, they commissioned the Vorarlberg architect Franz Beer with the design and construction of a completely new monastery complex. Today, the monastery complex is one of Switzerland's most impressive examples of Baroque and Cistercian architecture and culture.

Monastery life came to an abrupt end in 1848, when the canton of Lucerne ordered the closing of the monastery to pay off the debt from the Sonderbund War. After having being used for various purposes over the years, the majority of the monastery complex is now used for cultural events, exhibitions and tours.

Monastery of St. Urban

Adresse

Kloster St. Urban
Schafmattstrasse 1
4915 St. Urban
Tel. +14 (0)58 856 50 01
kloster@st-urban.ch
www.st-urban.ch

Services

Hiking in the surroundings

Grenzpfad Napfbergland
Grenzpfad Napfbergland
Stage 1, Langenthal–Huttwil
Show all

Cycling in the surroundings

Mittelländer Hügelroute
Mittelländer Hügelroute
Stage 2, Langenthal–Sursee
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Passwang–Oberaargau
Passwang–Oberaargau
Stage 2, Balsthal–Huttwil
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Alter Bernerweg
Alter Bernerweg
Stage 3, Burgdorf (Kirchberg)–Zofingen (Oftringen)
Show all