The end of the Capuchin monastery in Olten: Keys handed over to the canton
Published: Monday, Jun 10th 2024, 13:30
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After 378 years, the end of the Capuchin monastery in the heart of the old town of Olten SO is sealed: In a ceremonial act, the canton of Solothurn, as the owner, has taken over the keys to the complex. The last people to live in the monastery were six brothers aged over 80.
"It's a sad occasion for me, but it's a good thing," said Capuchin Brother Josef in the garden of the monastery on Monday. He symbolically handed over a key to the monastery complex to Sandra Kolly, a member of the Solothurn cantonal government.
It wasn't just one key, but two boxes full of keys. Brother Josef: "I'm glad that the endless clearing out and the farewells have effectively come to an end. The monastery and Olten, that's an old love that never rusts."
"It's almost unimaginable," said Building and Justice Director Kolly: "The monastery belongs to Olten." She had always repressed the thought that it would come to an end. "The cultural heritage is now going back to the canton."
Gradual farewell
The handover of the keys marks the end of a farewell in installments that makes many people in the Three Firs town of Olten wistful. The six Capuchin friars who last lived in the monastery not far from the train station have already moved out.
In April, there was a flea market and a big farewell party in the town church, which was filled to capacity. The brothers Josef, Werner, Crispin, Julius, Peter and Paul were bid farewell.
The Swiss Capuchin order assigned the men, who were more than 80 years old, a new home. Two moved to the Capuchin monastery in Wil SG, two to Schwyz and one each to the Wesemlin monastery in Lucerne and Delémont JU.
Order speaks of radical change
In January of last year, the Provincial Council of the Swiss Capuchins informed the Government Council that the brotherhood had decided to leave the monastery in Olten.
Religious and social change had led to the location being abandoned, the provincial council stated. Olten's role as a base for the Swiss Capuchin Missionaries in Africa, Indonesia and South America had come to an end. The situation had "radically changed"
The situation of the Capuchins throughout Europe is similarly in flux, as the provincial council wrote. The Swiss Capuchin Province still has ten monasteries. In the 1960s, the province still had 800 confreres, but now there are fewer than 100.
City wants to take over monastery complex
The future of the monastery complex owned by the canton has been partially clarified. The city has plans to take over the land under building rights and buy the buildings. These will later be used for public purposes for the benefit of the population.
Until everything is settled, the city and canton have signed a rental agreement until the end of 2026. The city can use the rooms itself or sublet them. However, it must manage the buildings and gardens. According to the Solothurn State Chancellery, the lease is therefore "free of charge".
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