Wislikofen – Provostry, Churches and Historic Architecture

Wislikofen is part of the municipality of Zurzach in the canton of Aargau and belongs to the district of Zurzach. The town is about two kilometres south of the border with Germany. The historic provostry shapes the town’s appearance and serves as a landmark when travelling here: Bus 354 from Baden or Niederweningen goes to the Wislikofen Dorf stop; from there, it is about 50 metres to the provostry. Check the Bus 354 timetable before setting off. Just a few steps from the provostry, you will also find the start of a hiking trail.

Provostry and Churches

Wislikofen Provostry was founded in 1113 as a provostry of the Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien. It is a historic seminar and cultural venue with a monastic character and has served as a seminar and education centre since 1976. The complex comprises a reconstructed provostry building, a church and a former rectory. The provostry and church are an integral cantonal protected monument of regional significance.

Individual architectural features also give the ensemble a clearly recognisable historic character: the former rectory dates from 1690/92. A polygonal stair tower dating from the 16th century stands between it and the former cloister. Large oval windows dating from around 1730 are located on the church’s north façade, which faces the valley. The different dates help show that the complex was not built in just one phase.

St. Oswald’s Church is dedicated to Saint Oswald and has a baptismal font dating from 1541. In addition to parish services, it hosts celebrations organised by the education centre and other cultural events. Thus, both religious use and cultural events are among the church’s documented functions.

The Chapel of St. Sebastian and St. Fridolin was rebuilt between 1786 and 1789. It is of regional significance and is an integral cantonal protected monument. The chapel is usually closed; to visit it, you can collect the key from the sacristan. The altar depicts the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary in painted wood carvings.

Agriculture and Crafts in Mellstorf

Wislikofen remained predominantly agricultural well into the 20th century. The Alte Trotte Mellstorf offers a tangible connection to this history: it was built in 1671 to press wine from grapes harvested on the sunny slope. The upper floor of the press house displays cultural artefacts from the surrounding area, mainly related to agriculture and crafts. Visits to the Museum of Agriculture and Crafts can be arranged by phone.

The building itself is also an important testament to architectural heritage. The Alte Trotte Mellstorf is an integral cantonal protected monument of regional significance. A massive, three-storey masonry building with late Gothic influences, it forms a valuable architectural ensemble together with the parish church and churchyard. Its steep, kinked half-hipped roof has an open rafter structure on the south side.

Discover more destinations: Endingen, Böttstein, Tegerfelden, Koblenz, Bad Zurzach, Siglistorf.

View the regional travel guide: Zurzach.