The Muri Monastery

The former Benedictine monastery of Muri in the Freiamt of the canton of Aargau has a nearly thousand-year history. It is the oldest foundation of the House of Habsburg. This is commemorated by the Habsburg crypt in the Loreto Chapel, where the hearts of the last Austrian imperial couple are buried. For the first time, a richly illustrated historical overview of the Muri monastery is now available. It provides insights into the founding period and life behind the monastery walls, highlights the role of Muri in the monastic reforms around 1600, and describes the conflicts surrounding the dissolution and relocation to Sarnen, as well as the new beginning in Gries near Bolzano in South Tyrol. The monastery complex is now used for various purposes: it houses the cantonal care facility, a primary school, and various government offices. The extensive renovation in recent decades and the concert series in the monastery church have also contributed to its current use.