Das Kloster Schöntal bei Langenbruck

Schöntal, idyllically located in a side valley north of Langenbruck, is the oldest monastery in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. The founding by the Counts of Frohburg is first mentioned in 1145. By 1187, the construction of the church, which is still largely preserved today with its remarkable sculptural decoration, was completed. Based on archaeological and architectural historical findings, the author traces the history of the monastery complex: from its beginnings as a double monastery for monks and nuns of the Benedictine order, through the time of the Servites, to its repurposing after the Reformation - first as a dairy farm for the Basel Bürgerhospital and finally as a private estate. This first archaeological inventory sheds new light on one of the region's most important cultural heritage sites. The author incorporates all available sources, supplemented by expert analyses of the sculptural decoration of the church facade, the fragments of wall paintings, the found materials, and the burials. This comprehensive perspective allows for numerous new insights, making the volume a reference for future research.