Kreuzlingen Abbey

Kreuzlingen Abbey, known by its German names Stift Kreuzlingen or Kloster Kreuzlingen, was a significant monastic institution located in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, near the border with Germany. Its history is marked by its foundation as a house of Augustinian Canons and a series of destructions and rebuildings, reflecting the turbulent political landscape of the region.

History and Significance

The origins of the site trace back to a hospital founded by Saint Conrad, Bishop of Constance, who brought a fragment of the True Cross from Jerusalem, giving the area its name. This hospital was later burnt down. In around 1125, Ulrich I, Bishop of Constance, re-established the site as a monastery for Augustinian Canons, dedicated to Saints Ulrich and Afra. During its existence, the abbey received protection from both papal and imperial authorities and was recognized as an Imperial abbey.

The abbey church and buildings suffered significant damage on multiple occasions. Following the Peace of Basle in 1499, the abbey was burned down by the inhabitants of Constance and subsequently rebuilt. It faced further destruction during the Thirty Years' War when troops entered the region. After this, it was decided that the monastery would be rebuilt at a greater distance from the city walls.

The third and final major building phase saw the construction of new premises and the church of Saints Ulrich and Afra between 1650 and 1653, with later remodelling in the Rococo style in 1764. Despite efforts to adapt and develop new educational functions, Kreuzlingen Abbey was dissolved by the Canton of Thurgau in 1848. Some of its structures were demolished, while remaining buildings were designated for use as a teacher training college. The former abbey church, however, was preserved and is now a basilica minor.

Architectural Features and Later Events

The former abbey church of Saint Ulrich and Afra is noted for its Baroque decoration. The Chapel of the Mount of Olives, constructed in 1760, is particularly noteworthy, featuring a detailed representation of the Mount of Olives made of wood, containing approximately 250 statuettes. The church's ceiling paintings, depicting scenes from the monastic life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, were created by Franz Ludwig Herrmann. The choir screen, made in 1737 by Johann Jakob Hoffner, and the larger-than-life statues of Saints Ulrich and Afra by Hans Christoph Schenk, are also significant artistic elements.

In the early 1960s, the church underwent renovation. Tragically, it was severely damaged by fire on the night of July 19-20, 1963, caused by welding work. Fortunately, the external walls, choir, and many interior elements were spared. The church was meticulously rebuilt under the direction of Hans Burkard and was completed by 1967, preserving its historical and artistic importance for the region.