Wislikofen is located in the municipality of Zurzach in the canton of Aargau and belongs to the Zurzach district. The border with Germany runs about two kilometres to the south. The village is characterised by the historic provostry, whose history dates back to the 9th century. It was founded in 1113 as a provostry of the Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien. Today, it is a historic seminar and cultural venue with a monastic character and has served as a seminar and education centre since 1976. Together with the church, the provostry is a monument of regional importance protected in its entirety at cantonal level.
Getting there and finding your way
Bus 354 from Baden or Niederweningen runs to the Wislikofen Dorf stop. From there, it is around 50 metres to the provostry. If you are travelling by bus, check the timetable before setting off. A hiking trail also begins just a few steps from the provostry. The stop and the trail therefore offer two practical reference points for planning a visit to this historic focal point.
The provostry and its architectural history
The complex comprises a reconstructed provostry building, a church and a former rectory. The rectory dates from 1690/92. A polygonal stair tower dating from the 16th century stands between it and the former cloister. The north-facing, downhill front of the church has large oval windows dating from around 1730. These details reveal the different periods of construction within the complex, from the stair tower to the church windows added later. The combination of the provostry building, church and former rectory also makes the complex easy to appreciate as an architectural ensemble.
Church and chapel
The Church of St. Oswald is dedicated to Saint Oswald; its baptismal font dates from 1541. In addition to parish services, events organised by the education centre and other cultural events are held there. Religious history and cultural use thus coexist, without requiring visitors to plan around a specific event date.
The Chapel of St. Sebastian and St. Fridolin was rebuilt between 1786 and 1789. It is of regional importance and protected in its entirety at cantonal level. The altar features the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary depicted in painted carvings. The chapel is normally closed; visitors can obtain the key from the sacristan to view it. So if you would like to see the carvings, remember to arrange to collect the key when planning your visit.
The Old Mellstorf Press House
Another key example of the area’s architectural history is the Old Mellstorf Press House, a monument of regional importance protected in its entirety at cantonal level. This massive, three-storey masonry building with late Gothic features forms a valuable architectural group together with the parish church and churchyard. Its architectural features include a steep, kinked half-hipped roof with an open rafter structure on the south side.
The press house was built in 1671 to make wine from grapes harvested on the sunny slope. Wislikofen remained agricultural well into the 20th century; the press house’s historic function shows one specific use from that past. The upper floor displays cultural artefacts from the surrounding area, mainly relating to agriculture and crafts. Visits to the Museum of Agriculture and Craft are arranged by phone. A visit therefore brings two different questions together: how was the building used, and what can objects from the surrounding area tell us about agriculture and crafts?
The provostry and the press house offer different perspectives: the former centres on monastic history, the church and educational use, while the latter focuses on its architectural form and agricultural use. The chapel adds a religious dimension to the comparison.
Discover more destinations: Tegerfelden, Bad Zurzach, Böttstein, Koblenz, Endingen, Siglistorf.
For the full travel overview: Zurzach.
