Klostermuseum Disentis
Museum in the Benedictine Abbey of Disentis with monastery history, sacred art, textiles and a natural history collection of animals and minerals.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The monks of Disentis Abbey have always collected books and religious and secular objects. When archaeologists excavated the oldest church buildings on the monastery grounds around 1900, many thousands of finds came to light, which as early as 1906 were meant to form the basis of a monastery museum. In 1909 the finds were displayed in several showcases as the first monastery museum, and in 1923 the exhibition moved to a larger room with a model of the medieval monastery. For decades the historian Father Iso Müller looked after the collection.
Since 1992 the museum has been housed in new, larger rooms that were created during the renovation of St Mary's Church between 1980 and 1984, above the church vaulting in the northern part of the monastery. In the former chapter house, sacred works of art are on display that otherwise remain hidden in sacristies; the oldest altar vessels, vestments and statues date back to around 1200. Another room is devoted to the history of the abbey, with early medieval stucco fragments, the first mitre of a Disentis abbot and a large choir book. There are also textiles from the 14th to the 19th century and folk objects ranging from Nativity scene traditions to grave crosses.
A natural history section shows the fauna and flora of the Surselva with numerous mounted animals, as well as crystals and minerals from the mountains of the region. It also commemorates the naturalists among the monks, Placidus a Spescha and Karl Hager, who explored the mountain world.
Highlights
- Sacred art, altar vessels and statues dating back to 1200
- Early medieval stucco fragments and archaeological finds from the monastery grounds
- Textiles and Christian customs, from the Nativity scene to the grave cross
- Natural history collection with animals, plants and minerals of the Surselva
- Monastery tours including the Placi Crypt and the monastery church of St Martin
Permanent exhibitions
- Kulturhistorische Ausstellung – Sacred art, altar vessels, vestments and statues from around 1200, monastery history with stucco fragments and a mitre, textiles and folk objects.
- Naturkundliche Sammlung – Fauna and flora of the region with mounted animals, as well as crystals and minerals from the Surselva.
- Founded
- 1909
- Operated by
- Benediktinerkloster Disentis
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 5Children and young people up to 15 years |
| Groups | CHF 10 per personMuseum admission for participants in a group monastery tour CHF 10, children and young people up to 15 years CHF 5. |
| Public monastery tour (high season) | CHF 12Children up to 15 years CHF 5 |
| Group tour of the monastery (approx. 1 hour, up to 30 people) | CHF 200Flat rate for adult groups |
| Monastery tour for school classes and youth groups (approx. 1 hour) | CHF 100Flat rate |
The museum ticket is purchased at the gatehouse.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
According to the monastery, the natural history collection with its numerous animals is particularly well suited to a visit with children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train from Chur via Ilanz, or from Andermatt (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway over the Oberalp Pass) to Disentis/Mustér.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking near the monastery.
By car from Chur via Ilanz, or from Andermatt over the Oberalp Pass (pass road closed in winter).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Monastery tours of about one hour (meeting point Pfortenplatz, groups of up to 30 people) lead through the Baroque gatehouse passage to the Placi Crypt with excavations from the 8th century and into the monastery church of St Martin. Dates for groups and school classes by arrangement with the monastery; payment at the gatehouse or by invoice. |
