Fahr Abbey, (Swiss German: Kloster Fahr) is a Benedictine nunnery located in Würenlos in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Situated in different cantons, Einsiedeln Abbey and the convent in Fahr are a double monastery, controlled by the abbot of Einsiedeln.
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In fact, the monastery is situated in an exclave of the canton of Aargau within the municipality of Unterengstringen in the canton of Zürich in the Limmat Valley. The convent is not part of the municipality, although some administrative tasks are performed by the Würenlos authorities. Therefore, since January 2008 the monastic community has to pay taxes, and the nuns are allowed to fulfill their political rights (votings etc.) in Würenlingen. The monastery has its own postal code, being 8109 Kloster Fahr.
The nunnery is first mentioned in 1130 AD as Vare (being an old term used for "ferry") and was given by the Lords of Regensberg. On January 22, 1130 Lütold II of Regensberg and his wife Judenta handed over lands and estates on the shore of the Limmat river around Weiningen and Unterengstringen-Oberengstringen to the Einsiedeln Abbey to establish a Benedictine nunnery. The bailiwick rights were hold by the Regensberg family, since 1306 by the citizens of the city of Zürich, and from 1434 to 1798 by the Meyer von Knonau family.
In addition to the Middle Ages St. Nikolaus-Kapelle (Saint Nicholas chapel, built around 10th century AD, now St. Anna Kapelle) and the late medieval Parish church of the monastery, the Parish church of Weiningen was subordinated to the monastery. Around 1530, the monastery was abolished during the Reformation in Switzerland, but in 1576 it was reopened.
Economical success around 1600 led to brisk construction activity: In 1678 the tavern Zu den zwei Raben ("Two Ravens", being the sign of the Einsiedeln Abbey) was built, from 1685 to 1696 the convent building and the church tower were reneved, in 1703/04 the refectory was built by Johann Moosbrugger, and the provost building was erected in 1730/34. From 1743 to 1746 the monastery's church was painted with frescoes inside the building and on its walls by the Torricelli brothers.
In breaking down the old Grafschaft Baden in 1803, the cantons of Zurich and Aargau established an exclave of Aargau within the canton of Zürich, being the former lands of the Fahr Abbey. The interventions of the canton of Aargau culminated in 1841 to close all monasteries within in the canton of Aargau, but it was reversed in 1843 for women's monasteries. The negotiations between Einsiedeln Abbey and the canton of Aargau on assets and influence were completed nearly 90 years later, in 1932: Aargau granted the independent authority of the monastic community. On February 1, 1944, the monastery established a Bäuerinnenschule, i.e. a peasant school for women.
During World War II, from November 1943 to February 1944, 11 female Jewish refugees lived anonymous in the convent; they had to leave for unknown destination when the peasant school was opened.[1]
On January 1, 2008, the monastery was assigned to the municipality of Würenlos. 117 years ago, Würenlos attempted for the first time to integrate the 1.48-hectare area of the monastery.[2]
Martin Werlen, the Abbot of Einsiedeln, presented on January 22, 2009, a new convent seal, i.e. the Benedictine nuns are now even mistresses on the business of their monastery.[3]
Being formerly part of the Bishopric of Constance, the monastery has been part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Basel since 1828. The nunnery is dedicated to Saint Mary.
Since the very beginning, the nunnery has been controlled by the abbot of Einsiedeln; the monastery is administered by a female prior who is a member of the convent in Fahr.
As of April 2010, 26 sisters (7 in 1873, 33 in 2000) are living in the monastery. The convent is administered by a (female) prior. Silja Walter (1919 - 2011), a renowned novelist, was the most prominent nun of the convent.[4]
The nunnery is renowned for its agricultural school for women (Bäuerinnenschule) and the wine estate managed by the nuns, their students and around 30 external employees.
Products made by the monastery are liquors and honey, and a variety of other agricultural products among them fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. The monastic community sells its products in a shop (from Monday to Saturday) situated in the monastery and provides a restaurant (from Wednesday to Sunday) in the former pilgrim's hostel, built in 1678 AD. The 10th century AD St Anna chapel is also popular for weddings.
For tourists Fahr Abbey is a highlight in the Limmat Valley and a popular stop for hikers and bikers along the Limmat river. Fahr Abbey is listed as a Swiss heritage sites of national significance.[5]
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