Klostermuseum Müstair

About the museum

St John's Convent in Müstair was founded in the 8th century and is said to have been endowed by Charlemagne; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. From the Carolingian period, the convent church with its large fresco cycle and the Holy Cross Chapel have survived. Benedictine nuns still live here today.

The museum is housed in the Planta Tower, a residential and defensive tower built around 960 under Bishop Hartpert of Chur and counted among the oldest castle towers in Europe. Under Abbess Angelina von Planta it was raised and extended from 1499, and in 1664 it received swallowtail battlements. Previously, a small monastery museum had been set up in the Prince's Room in the west wing. When an earthquake caused cracks in the tower in 1994, it was renovated and the museum moved into the restored rooms. It has existed in this form since 2003.

The tour leads from the cloister into the massive cellar and through three upper floors, where a "monastery within the monastery" can be experienced: living and reception rooms, bedchambers, prayer rooms and the Hohenbalken Room, a Baroque parlour. Archaeological finds, art treasures and traces of everyday life show twelve centuries of monastery, building and art history as well as the life of the sisters in the past and today. Since 2024 the presentation of the collection has been renewed in stages.

Highlights

• Museum in the Planta Tower, a residential and defensive tower from around 960
• "Monastery within the monastery" across the cellar and three upper floors
• Hohenbalken Room, a Baroque parlour
• Archaeological finds and art treasures from twelve centuries
• Convent church with Carolingian fresco cycle (UNESCO World Heritage)

Permanent exhibitions

• Klostermuseum im Plantaturm – Tour through the cellar and three upper floors of the tower with art treasures, archaeological finds and living quarters of the sisters from twelve centuries.
• Klosterkirche und Heiligkreuzkapelle – The church houses the largest and best-preserved early medieval fresco cycle; the Holy Cross Chapel, with the oldest dated beamed ceiling in Europe from 788, is accessible only with a guided tour.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Stiftung Pro Kloster St. Johann Müstair

Admission & discounts

The published prices apply to the museum tour or museum visit; payment in euros is also possible. The children's trail is included in the museum admission. Tickets are available at the convent shop la butia.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The church and the ground floor of the museum are accessible to wheelchair users free of charge; the three upper floors of the historic tower are not. Accessible toilets in the car park and in the convent shop; the convent shop can be reached via a ramp. No signposted disabled parking spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The convent trail "Babette the Convent Cat" takes children aged about 6 to 13 through twelve stations across the convent courtyard, church and museum (German and Italian); special family programmes are held on World Heritage Day. Family rate available.

Getting there & parking

By car usually through the Engadine over the Ofen Pass; from Landquart via Klosters and with the Vereina car-shuttle train to Sagliains. In summer it is also possible to arrive via the Stelvio Pass and Umbrail Pass (closed in winter).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Convent shop "la butia" with products from the convent and the Val Müstair as well as books; the Hotel Chasa Chalavaina is located opposite.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit