Muri Abbey

Muri was founded in 1027 by the Habsburgs, and its church went through an unusual transformation: in the 1690s the Romanesque nave was rebuilt as a large octagon under a dome, keeping the medieval choir and towers, so the building reads as two architectural systems joined rather than one coherent design. The interior is full baroque, with stucco, a large organ and choir stalls. The abbey was dissolved by the canton in 1841 and the community moved to Gries in Tyrol, where it continues. The Habsburg connection persists in an unexpected way: the last Austro-Hungarian emperor Charles I and his wife Zita have their hearts interred in the Loreto chapel here, a Habsburg burial tradition.

What's there

• An octagon on a Romanesque plan - the 1690s dome joined to medieval work.
• Full baroque interior - stucco, organ and carved choir stalls.
• Habsburg hearts in the Loreto chapel - Charles I and Zita interred there.
• A community that moved - dissolved in 1841 and refounded in Tyrol.

When to go

All year. Two hours.

Practical notes

The church is used for concerts and services and can be closed. The museum keeps limited hours. Muri is a small town with modest facilities. Interpretation is in German.

Nearby

Lake Hallwil is west; Zug and Lucerne are south.

Key facts