Wonnenstein Friary
Wonnenstein Friary, also known as Mary's Rose Garden Wonnenstein, is a Franciscan friary for women located in Teufen, Switzerland. Established on land granted in 1381, the community adopted the Rule of Saint Francis by the 15th century. Despite periods of disruption, including during the Reformation, it was re-established as a Capuchin friary in 1596 and has since navigated complex territorial divisions between the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
Key Facts
- ›Founded on land granted by the Abbot of Saint Gallen in 1381.
- ›Became a Capuchin friary in 1596 following the Protestant Reformation.
- ›Its buildings and grounds are an exclave of Appenzell Innerrhoden, though situated in Teufen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
- ›Experienced a significant decline in residents, from 47 in 1938 to only two by 2020.
- ›Has historically received permanent resident confessors from various abbeys, including Reichenau, Fischingen, and Engelberg.
- Exclave of Appenzell Innerrhoden Within Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Mary's Rose Garden Wonnenstein
Kuno Von Stoffeln, Anna WäSpi Von Jonschwil, Gabriela Hug
Protestant Reformation, Re-Establishment As A Capuchin Friary, Canton of Appenzell Split, Federal Decree On Territorial Ownership
About Wonnenstein Friary
Wonnenstein Friary, also known by its devotional name Mary's Rose Garden Wonnenstein, is a significant monastic institution with a history rooted in the medieval period. Situated in Teufen, within the Swiss canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, its buildings and grounds possess a unique status as a small exclave belonging to the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden.
History and Development
The origins of Wonnenstein Friary date back to 1381 when Kuno von Stoffeln, the Abbot of Saint Gallen, granted the land upon which the friary now stands to several nuns residing in the vicinity. By the 15th century, these nuns had adopted the Rule of Saint Francis, establishing a clear spiritual lineage. The monastery faced significant disruption during the Protestant Reformation, leading to the departure of its residents. However, in 1596, Anna Wäspi von Jonschwil was dispatched from the Pfanneregg monastery to re-establish Wonnenstein. Under the Pfanneregger Reform, it was reconstituted as a Capuchin friary.
The subsequent division of the Canton of Appenzell in 1597 into the Catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden and the Protestant Appenzell Ausserrhoden created a complex territorial situation for Wonnenstein. Its location in Teufen, which joined the Protestant half-canton, made the friary's ownership a point of contention. This dispute was eventually addressed in 1870 when the federal government declared that the land within the walls of Wonnenstein and Grimmenstein would be considered part of Appenzell Innerrhoden, while all land outside these walls would belong to Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
Community and Present Day
Throughout its history, Wonnenstein Friary has maintained a spiritual connection with nearby abbeys for resident confessors. Initially, these confessors came from Reichenau Abbey and later from Fischingen Abbey. From 1890 onwards, the confessor was supplied by Engelberg Abbey. The friary has seen fluctuations in its community size, with 22 residents recorded in 1616 and a peak of 47 in 1938. More recently, the community has experienced a significant decline. In 2000, there were only 11 residents, and following the death of Gabriela Hug in January 2020, the number dwindled to just two, raising questions about the future of the active community at Wonnenstein.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Wonnenstein Friary established?
The land for Wonnenstein Friary was granted in 1381 by Kuno von Stoffeln, the Abbot of Saint Gallen, to a group of nuns. By the 15th century, these nuns were living under the Rule of Saint Francis.
What religious order does Wonnenstein Friary belong to?
Wonnenstein Friary is a monastery of the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis. It was re-established as a Capuchin friary in 1596.
What is the significance of the split between Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden for Wonnenstein Friary?
The split of the Canton of Appenzell in 1597 into Catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden and Protestant Appenzell Ausserrhoden created a territorial conflict for Wonnenstein Friary. In 1870, it was decreed that the land within the friary's walls would belong to Appenzell Innerrhoden, while the surrounding area would be part of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
How has the number of residents at Wonnenstein Friary changed over time?
The friary had 22 residents in 1616 and housed 47 individuals in 1938. By the year 2000, the number had decreased to 11, and following a death in January 2020, only two residents remained.
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