Cultural
Couvent bénédictin Saint-Jean-des-Sœurs à Müstair
Photo : Francesco Bandarin (CC BY-SA 3.0 igo)
Located in the Münster valley in the canton of Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland, this Benedictine convent represents a significant example of early medieval monastic architecture and art in the Alpine region. The convent was founded in the early 8th century and preserves important architectural elements from its Romanesque period, including the church and residential structures. The site is distinguished by its remarkable cycles of Carolingian and Romanesque frescoes, which constitute exceptional examples of medieval religious art and demonstrate the artistic sophistication of monastic communities in this remote Alpine setting. The complex reflects the historical importance of monasteries as centers of spiritual life, artistic production, and cultural transmission throughout the medieval period. The convent remains an active religious community while also functioning as a museum, allowing visitors to engage with both the living heritage and the material evidence of monastic life. Its isolation in the mountain valley and its well-preserved condition make it a valuable document of medieval religious organization and aesthetic achievement in the Alpine landscape.
