UNESCO World Heritage

Benedictine Convent of St John in Müstair

The nuns open their doors

According to legend, the monastery complex in Val Müstair in the canton of Grisons, was founded in the 8th century by Charlemagne and was never fully destroyed. Well preserved, it still reveals building styles from several eras, and holds art treasures from more than twelve centuries. The wall paintings in the convent church were decisive for its acceptance on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the largest and best-preserved fresco cycle from the early Middle Ages. The nuns are still active in the convent today in the spirit of “ora et labora”, pray and work. Convent life, cultivation, the museum, research and restoration all merge to form a unique whole.

 

Map
Factsheet
Date of Inscription

1983

Criteria of Inscription

iii

Category

Cultural Heritage

Region

Grisons

Info Filter
School level

History, Culture and Religion
Convent of St John in Müstair
The “search and find” pictures help children to discover the UNESCO World Heritage properties in Switzerland in a simple way.  What is a UNESCO ...
Learn more
Good to know
Convent of St John in Müstair
Criterion (iii): The Benedictine Convent St. John in Müstair is one of the most coherent architectural works of the Carolingian period and High Middle ...
Learn more