11 Highlights in the Ittingen Charterhouse
- The historical museum showcases the lives of the Carthusian monks and the history of the monastery.
- In an art gallery, you can find changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
- The monastery shop offers wine, cheese, honey, and other regional specialties.
- The restaurant in the charterhouse serves delicious dishes made from fresh, local ingredients.
- Check out the large fruit and vegetable garden that supplies the restaurant with fresh produce.
- The peaceful and picturesque surroundings make the Ittingen Charterhouse an ideal location for seminars and workshops, with modern facilities available.
- You can also stay overnight at the charterhouse if you wish.
- Regular cultural events such as concerts and readings take place at the Ittingen Charterhouse.
- The gardens and parks are beautifully arranged, perfect for walks and relaxation.
- The historic chapel is still used for services and weddings today.
- You can visit the charterhouse's own vineyards, including tastings.
Walking Paths in the Ittingen Charterhouse
Explore twelve informative walking paths that help you discover the monastery and its surroundings better.
| Name | Route | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hopfenlehrpfad | Circular path starting from the parking lot | two hop varieties over a cultivation area of 1.8 ha |
| Ittinger Klosterroute | A tour through the monastery featuring 10 audio plays | Rent an audio guide at the museum cash desk |
| Grüner Pfad | Along 15 stations with information | Sustainability in the Ittingen Charterhouse |
| Weinwissensweg | Up to the estate's vineyard | with information along the way |
| Ittinger Schnitzeljagd | Discovery tour to hidden places | Map and info available at reception |
| Ittingen Walk with Janet Cardiff | Stroll through the monastic rooms | Experiences with special intensity, rich with narratives, sounds, and melodies |
| Labyrinth Route | Step by step through winding paths to the center of the Thyme Labyrinth | Meditative practice |
| Ranft Route | To the spiritual spot in the picturesque Ittingen Ranft above the monastery's northern wall | Following in the footsteps of Brother Klaus |
| Rosen Route | Walking through the rose garden | Over a thousand rose bushes with more than 250 mostly historical rose varieties |
| See Route | Hike to Nussbaumer Lake and back | Duration: 3-4 hours |
| Waldroute | Hiking through the Ittingen forest | A 2.5 km long walk with 11 knowledge stations |
| Wasser Route | From the springs to historical fountains | Water was formerly channeled using Teuchelleitungen (hollowed tree trunks) |
What to Expect at the Ittingen Carthusian Monastery
The Ittingen Carthusian Monastery is primarily a historic monument. Monastic values are kept alive here through a foundation. Beautiful gardens with an in-house gardening team also ensure fresh and ecological supplies for the restaurant, hotel, and monastery shop.
Spirituality is lived out here, along with care for people in need of support. You can live and work here under guidance. Guests can enjoy changing cultural offerings, as well as the monastic cultivation of wine and other regional products.
The Ittingen Carthusian Monastery features modern seminar rooms within its historic walls. Cultural events like concerts and readings take place regularly. Walks through the gardens or along one of the twelve small and large hiking trails around the Ittingen Carthusian Monastery provide the perfect balance for active relaxation.
You can reach the in-house vineyard via the Wine Knowledge Trail. The Green Path is a route that takes about an hour, perfect for families or small groups. It includes 15 stops that amusingly inform visitors about how the Ittingen Carthusian Monastery engages in sustainability.
With an audio guide, you can explore the monastery grounds and get explanations along the way. The Ittingen Forest is also quickly accessible, and you can enjoy a romantic picnic here by bike.
Getting to Kartause Ittingen
Kartause Ittingen is located near Frauenfeld in the canton of Thurgau.
By Car
From Zurich, you can reach Kartause via the A1 heading towards St. Gallen. At the Winterthur-Ost interchange, switch to the A7 towards Frauenfeld/Kreuzlingen until you reach Frauenfeld West. Then follow the signs towards Warth-Weiningen/Ittingen. The signs for 'Kartause Ittingen' are brown.
By Public Transport
Take the train to Frauenfeld and then hop on bus line 819, which goes directly to Kartause Ittingen. Alternatively, a taxi from Frauenfeld takes about 10 minutes.