Rüti Abbey

Rüti Abbey

Rüti Abbey respectively the so-called Amt Rüti around 1740, as seen from the Schanz bulwark, the present Rüti Reformed Church is situated in the background.
Location within Switzerland
Monastery information
Other names Kloster Rüti; Prämonstratenserkloster Rüti; Kloster zu unserer lieben Frau; Kloster sancte Maria
Order Premonstratensian
Established 1206
Disestablished 1525 during the Reformation in Zürich
Mother house Weissenau Abbey
Diocese Schwaben
Controlled churches Rüti (1206–1525), Uster (1438–1525),[1] and further 12 parish churches
People
Founder(s) Liutold IV von Regensberg
Abbot list of Abbots 1206–1525
Architecture
Status dissolved
Functional Status Reformed church of the municipality of Rüti; municipal use as library, archives and so on (Amthaus); apartment buildings (Spitzerliegenschaft and former rectory)
Heritage designation Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance
Site
Location Rüti, Canton of Zürich
Coordinates 47°15′34″N 8°50′56″E / 47.2595°N 8.8490°E / 47.2595; 8.8490
Visible remains church and three buildings
Public access yes

Rüti Abbey (Swiss German: Prämonstratenserkloster Rüti) was a former Premonstratensian abbey, founded in 1206 and suppressed in 1525 on occasion of the Reformation in Zürich, situated in the municipality of Rüti in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The abbey's church was the final resting place of the Counts of Toggenburg, among them Count Friedrich VII and 13 other members of the Toggenburg family, and other noble families. Between 1206 and 1525, the abbey comprised 14 incorporated churches and the owner of extensive lands and estates at 185 localities.

Amthaus and the former Abbey's church
As seen from Bandwiesstrasse
The entrance hall of the former abbey's church where the burial vault of the Counts of Toggenburg was situated
Interior respectively the apse of the Rüti church
Drawing by Johann Melchior Füssli (1700)

History

In 1206 the estate for the abbey was given by Liutold IV, Count of Regensberg, and it was confirmed on 6 May 1219 by his brother, Eberhard, Archbishop of Salzburg. The church and rights were transferred by Rudolf I von Rapperswil and Diethelm of Toggenburg to the convent in 1229.[2] On the upper Lake Zürich peninsula at Oberbollingen, a St. Nicholas Chapel is mentioned, where around 1229 a small Cistercian (later Premonstratensian) monastery was established by the Counts of Rapperswil. That nunnery is estimated to have been (administratively) part of the Rüti Abbey; in 1267 it was united with the nearby Mariazell Wurmsbach Abbey.

Initially founded as a branch of the Premonstratensian Abbey in Churwalden, Rüti Abbey, commonly known as Saint Mary abbey, was placed by the Bishop of Constance in 1230 to the Weissenau (Minderau) abbey and was part of the administrative district of Zirkaria Swabia. The construction of the abbey's cathedral started in 1214 and probably was finished in 1283. In 1286, for financial reason, the Countess Elisabeth von Rapperswil had to sell her farm estate in Oberdürnten including the associated rights (in particular the lower courts) to the Rüti Abbey. But the House of Rapperswil also supported the Rüti abbey in the following decades, so Johann's I son, Johann II, assigned an estate and all rights in the name of his younger siblings on 17 June 1340.[3]

The convent was generously endowed with money and goods by the aristocratic families in northeastern Switzerland, enabling it to buy the rights to parish churches and additional estates, among them in Aadorf by the Landenberg-Greifensee family in 1358,[4] Bassersdorf, Dürnten, Elsau-Räterschen in 1398,[5] Erlenbach, Eschenbach, Eschlikon, Fehraltorf, Fischenthal, Gossau, Hinwil, Hofstetten, Mönchaltorf, Neubrunn-Turbenthal, Rapperswil, Seegräben, Uster in 1438,[1] Uznach, Wangen in der March in 1407,[6] Wil-Dreibrunnen, Winterthur, Zollikerberg, Zollikon and Zürich. By gift, purchase and exchange, Rüti Abbey enlarged its ownership, concentrated in the early 15th century in Rüti (Ferrach and Oberdürnten), between Greifensee and Pfäffikersee and on the northeastern shore on so-called Obersee, the upper part of Zürichsee (Lake Zürich). Rüti was an important stage point along the Jakobsweg (Way of St. James) leading via Rapperswil and the wooden bridge at the Seedamm lake crossing to the Einsiedeln Abbey.

A unique document is related to one of the members of the Rüti convent: On 5 December 1374 Bilgri von Kloten declared that he and his legitimate daughter Margret Bertschinger do not raise any claims to a land, sealed by the Vogt of Rapperswil.[7]

In 1408 the Rüti village and the abbey came under the reign of the government of the city of Zürich as part of the so-called Herrschaft Grüningen. Among many other transfers of lands and goods, on 12 May 1433 Heini Murer von Grueningen and his wife Anna Keller confirmed the transfer of their lands on Lutzelnoew island for 100 Pfund Pfennig Zürcher Währung to the Abbot Johans and the convent of the Rüti Abbey, including numerours buildings and lands in the Herrschaft Grüningen, and the document confirmed also the couple's wish to be enrolled in the abbey's libri anniversariorum (German: Jahrzeitbuch).[8]

On 11 June 1443 marauders of the Old Swiss Confederacy plundered the abbey in the Old Zürich War, and the graves of Count Friedrich VII of Toggenburg, among them the Count of Thierstein and other nobilities, were desecrated: Item si brachen die greber in dem münster uff, und truogent die todten lichnam heruss, graf frdrichen von toggenburg, und schluogent jm ain stain in den mund; graf waldraffen von tierstain schütten si uss dem bom [tomb], und wurffen ainander mit sinen gebainen. The devastation by the donfederates met the monastery, materially and idealistic. The plundering of the region weakened the monastic manorial, and the desecration of the graves diminished the importance of the abbey as preferred burial place of the nobility. Memoria for the noble families remain largely intact during the Reformation in Zürich to the demolition of the Toggenburgerkapelle vault and partial new construction of the present Rüti Reformed Church in 1771.[9]

Burials at Rüti Abbey

Ledger stone of knight Johann von Klingenberg

On 29 November 1389, seven months after the Battle of Näfels, the abbot Bilgeri von Wagenberg moved about 100 bodies (in fact, their bones) of the Swiss-Austrian knights and soldiers, among them his brother Johann von Klingenberg, from the battle field and reburied them (most of them in a mass grave within the church) at Rüti Abbey. The members of the Toggenburg family were buried in the so-called Toggenburger Gruft, a burial vault where is as of today the entrance hall to the church. In addition, there was a large number of members of noble families/knights living nearby (Regensberg family excluded) and the families of the latter Amtsmann, the representants of the city of Zürich between 1525 and 1789. Most of these gravestones are lost, destroyed – probably the ones of the nobilities in June 1443 by the Swiss troops in the Old Zürich War – or were re-used for buildings etc.

Counts of Toggenburg and Elisabeth von Mätsch

Main article: Elisabeth von Matsch
Reliquiar believed given by Elisabeth von Mätsch to the Rüti Abbey in 1439, Stadtmuseum Rapperswil-Jona
Toggenburg burial vault
one of the few remaining tomb stones of the Toggenburg family, Toggenburgergruft beneath the present entrance area of the church

The members of the Toggenburg family were buried in the so-called Toggenburger Gruft, a burial vault where is as of today the entrance hall to the church. On 23 April 1398 Count Donat von Toggenburg donated the church of Elsow as benefice for the new Allerheiligenaltar at the grave of the Toggenburg family, for the salvation of his daughter soul Menta von Toggenburg who died shortly before.[5]

Count Fridrich von Toggenburg, Herr zu Brettengow und Tafas donated to his own and the salvation of his ancestor who were buried and he also expects to be buried the church, rights and lands (Kirchwidem and Kirchensatz) in Wangen in der March, sealed by Fridrich and the knights Herman von Landenberg, Johans von Bonstetten from Ustra and Herman von der Hochenlandenberg on 21 January 1407.[6] Count Friedrich VII of Toggenburg died in 1436 and was buried probably in 1439 in a chapel, the so-called Toggenburger Kapelle (capella nova in latere monasterii de novo construxit) given by his noble wife, Countess Elisabeth von Toggenburg, née von Mätsch. On 5 September 1439 Elisabeth von Mätsch instigated a parsonage for the purpose of a daily Mass to Friedrich's and her own salvation, and for this purpose she bequeathed the abbey the amount of 1,300 Rheinische Gulden in gold and precious gems with ornaments (pretiosa ornamenta) to the Rüti Abbey where 14 members of the family were buried, and Countess Elisabeth probably lived in her late years. During her lifetime, Countess Elisabeth chose the priest who should hold the Mass in the new chapel of the monastery church. After her death, the foundation provided that the abbot and his convent hold a daily Mass and the usual periodicals, and that to the priest in charge was given board and lodge, as well as ten Rheinische Gulden at Christmas, financed by Elisabeth's foundation. The abbot of Einsiedeln had to pay attention to the fulfillment of these obligations and received in this way influence on the life of the Rüti convention respectively the convent had the hermit pin to pay fifty Florins for non-compliance.[10] The document was draft by Eberhart Wüst von Rapperswil, the bistum's notar, on 5 September 1439 at 4 pm and confirmed by the abbot Johans and the members of the convent: Prior Johans Murer, Subprior Johans Schiltknecht, Heinrich Lörri, Erhard Baumgarter, Johans Berger, Heinrich Witenwiler, Ulrich Clinger and Ulrich Glarner.[11]

Elisabeth Countess of Toggenburg spent her last days in the Rüti Abbey, and she was for the last time mentioned on 20 June 1442 as its inhabitant: Elisabeth von Toggemburg...Graf Ffriedrich von Toggenburg and many of his ancestors haven chosen to be buried in the Rüti Abbey, which is why she has retreated there ("unser wesen gentzlich in dasselbe gotzhus got zuo dienende gezogen haben") and elected her tomb to be with her husband after her death... Her probably last will attested that she devised to the convent a specifically named jewel, namely 1300 Rheinische Gulden for...[as per 5 September 1439]... also a beaded ("berlachtes") chasuble, a gilded "tryenvass", the big monstrance with the mandrel the crown of Christ, the small monstrance with an attached closure ("Schlössli") heart-shaped, four chasubles made of velvet and damask, two silk decorative ceiling ("Golter") in green and red, and a silk tapestry ("uffschlag")... The document is sealed by Countess Elisabeth and knight Albrecht von Landemberg von Breitenlandemberg (Tösstal).[12]

On 11 June 1443 marauding troops of the Old Swiss Confederacy devastated the monastery Rüti and desecrated the bodies of the nobles, including Count Friedrich VII who they held responsible for the war with Zürich, and the scavengers pelted with the remains like schoolboys with snowballs.[13]

Dissolution

On 22 April 1525 Abbot Felix Klauser, with important documents, money and parts of the abbey's treasury, fled for refuge to the city of Rapperswil, where he died in a house belonging to the abbey in early 1530. On 17 June 1525, following the Reformation in Zürich, the abbey was secularized; three of the monks converted to Protestantism and died in the Battle of Kappel, three remained in Rüti, and Sebastian Hegner, the last conventual died in exile in Rapperswil in 1561. Two years ago, an arbitration tribunal in Rapperswil decided among others: Sebastian Hegner had to pay the fees that were confiscated to the city of Zürich, to resign to reinstate the Rüti Abbey, subject to a decision by a Christian council and a common reformation, and Hegner had to force the abbot of the Reichenau convent to give over all documents related the Rüti Abbey. In return, the city of Zürich pledged safe-conduct within the area of the city republic of Zürich and to preserve Hegner from harm and to refund all property back to Sebastian Hegner. The council of the city of Zürich also agreed corn and wine to pay in kind and the amount of 35 Gulden at Christmas at his new domicile in Rapperswil. The document was sealed by Lux Ritter, alt Schultheiss of the city of Luzern, Cristoffel Schorno, stadtholder and military representant in Schwyz, and Gilg Tschudi, Landammann in Glarus, on 26 January 1559.[14]

Sebastian Hegner, last surviving member of the convent, falls and dies in Rapperswil on 10 November 1561

The abbey's treasury, left in Rapperswil, is conserved today in the Stadtmuseum Rapperswil. The enormous number of estates of the former abbey — around 185 localities in northeastern Switzerland — were managed as Amt Rüti by an Amtmann (member of the city of Zürich government) until 1798. Following the Reformation in Zürich, Rüti got one of the first public schools in the canton of Zürich, established by the Prophezei reformers and some of the former monks of the abbey.

List of Abbots

Abbot's crozier, treasury of the former Rüti Abbey in the Stadtmuseum Rapperswil
Name[15][16] acted as[16] from/to[15][16] remarks
1. Ulrich Propst 1206–1221
2. Luther Prior, Propst 1221–1224
3. Eberhard Propst 1224–1226
4. Berchtold Abbot 1226–1237
5. Ulrich II. Propst 1237–1257
6. Heinrich I. Abbot 1259–1266
7. Wernher Prior, Abbot 1272 (?)
8. Heinrich II. Abbot
9. Walther Abbot 1279–1283
10. Johannes I. von Rheinfelden Abbot 1286–1300
11. Johannes II. Abbot 1300–1317
12. Hesso Abbot 1319–1342
13. Heinrich III. von Schaffhausen Abbot 1346–1379
14. Bilgeri (Peregrinus) von Wagenberg Abbot 1379–1394
15. Gottfried (Götz) Schultheiss Abbot 1394–1422
16. Albrecht (Albertus) Abbot 1422–1426
17. Johannes III. Zingg Abbot 1428–1446
18. Johannes IV. Murer Abbot 1446–1467
19. Ulrich Tennenberg Abbot 1467–1477
20. Markus (Marx) Wiler Abbot 1477–1502 initiated the interior decoration of the Rüti Reformed Church's choir
21. Felix Klauser Abbot 1503–1525 Felix Klauser died in early 1530. Andreas Diener was chosen to be his successor, on April 5, 1530, the election was revoked.

Buildings

Main article: Rüti Reformed Church
Map of the abbey (1800)

The abbey comprised a hospital, a pilgrims hospice, stables, buildings for the monks, the cloister that was connecting the buildings protected by a stone wall, and a large number of additional buildings, among them at least one mill that was using the waterpower of the Schwarz and Jona rivers.

The present structure of the former abbey church, as of today the Reformed church in Rüti, was built from 1206 to 1283 and rebuilt in 1706 and again in 1770. The church has one tower on the south. The interior is decorated with painted stucco created in the 1480/90s.

Most of the abbey's buildings were destroyed by fire in 1706. The remaining buildings were built probably in the early 16th century: the so-called "Spitzerliegenschaft" (stable and warehouse) and the Pfarrhaus (rectory). The Amthaus (Bailiff's house) was rebuilt in 1706 and serves as library, Kindergarten, as a museum of local history and site of the archives of the municipality of Rüti, and the present Rüti Church was used as Reformed church of the municipality Rüti and the village of Tann.

Protection

The remaining structures of the abbey – Rüti Reformed Church and the three buildings related to the abbey – are listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as a Class A object.[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Bruno Schmid (2014-01-14). "Uster (Gemeinde)" (in German). HDS. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  2. ↑ "Vogt Rudolf I. von Rapperswil vergabt die Kirche Bollingen an das Kloster Rüti" (in German). Rechtsquellenstiftung des Schweizerischen Juristenvereins: Rechtsquellen der Stadt und Herrschaft Rapperswil (mit den Höfen Busskirch/Jona, Kempraten und Wagen). Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  3. ↑ "C II 12, Nr. 130 Graf Johans von Habsburg gibt dem Kloster Rüti in eigenem Namen und als Vogt seiner minderjährigen Geschwister ein Gut z... (1340.06.17)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-03.
  4. ↑ "C II 16, Nr. 84 Die Brüder und Ritter Herman und Beringer von Landenberg sowie Herman von Landenberg, alle von Greifensee, und ihr Vette... (1358.04.06)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  5. 1 2 "C II 16, Nr. 215 Graf Donat von Toggenburg, Herr zu Brettengow und Tavas, hat den Kirchensatz von Elsow dem Abt und Konvent des Prämonstr... (1398.04.23)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  6. 1 2 "C II 12, Nr. 277 Graf Fridrich von Toggenburg, Herr zu Brettengow und Tafas, schenkt zum eigenen Seelenheil und dem seiner Vorfahren dem ... (1407.01.21)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  7. ↑ "C II 11, Nr. 483 Bilgri von Kloten, Konventbruder in Rüti, und seine eheliche Tochter Margret Bertschinger erklären keinerlei Ansprüche b... (1374.12.05)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  8. ↑ "C II 12, Nr. 370 Heini Murer von Grueningen und seine Frau Anna Keller beurkunden, dass sie ihre Güter zu Lutzelnoew für 100 Pfund Pfenni... (1433.05.12)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  9. ↑ Peter Niederhäuser and Raphael Sennhauser (2003). "Adelsgrablegen und Adelsmemoria im Kloster Rüti" (in German). Kunst + Architektur in der Schweiz = Art + architecture en Suisse = Arte + architettura in Svizzera, Volume 54. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  10. ↑ "Summarium Amt S, Band 1, Seite 10" (in German). Klosterarchiv Einsiedeln. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
  11. ↑ "A 142.4, Nr. 9 Stiftung einer Messe am Altar einer Kapelle des Klosters Rüti durch Gräfin Elisabeth von Toggenburg, 1439.09.05 (Dokument)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
  12. ↑ "C II 12, Nr. 407 Gräfin Elizabeth von Toggemburg geborene von Maetsch, Witwe, - deren [im Jahr 1436] verstorbener Mann Graf Ffriedrich vo... (1442.06.20)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  13. ↑ Emil Wüst: Kunst in der Reformierten Kirche Rüti ZH. Published by Kirchenpflege Rüti, 1989.
  14. ↑ "C I, Nr. 2382 Spruch im Streit zwischen Sebastian Hegner und der Stadt Zürich um Hegners Ansrpüche an das Kloster Rüti (1559.01.26)" (in German). Staatsarchiv des Kantons Zürich. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  15. 1 2 Bernard Andenmatten und Brigitte Degler-Spengler (Red.): Die Prämonstratenser und Prämonstratenserinnen in der Schweiz. In: Helvetia Sacra IV/3, Basel 2002. ISBN 978-3-7965-1218-6
  16. 1 2 3 Ortsmuseum und Chronik der Gemeinde Rüti
  17. ↑ "A-Objekte KGS-Inventar" (PDF). Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Amt für Bevölkerungsschutz. 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2015-09-13.

Literature

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