Details
Founded: 1030-1049Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)
Rating
5/5 (based on Google user reviews)
User Reviews
Nicola Iacovone (16 months ago)
Built by Rudolf of Altenburg and his wife Cunegonde, founders of the House of Habsburg, and dedicated to the apostles of Christ, Saint Peter and Paul, it is famous in Alsace for its remarkable and rare church architecture with a central octagonal plan in Byzantine style, Carolingian and Ottonian, inspired by the Palatine Chapel of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) of the emperor Charlemagne and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (the tomb of Christ); it was consecrated in 1049 by Pope Leo IX. Rudolf died childless, probably killed with his army of 700 knights from Alsace and neighboring Swabia, by the Normans at the Battle of Civitate in 1053 to defend the Holy Roman Empire against the Norman and Saracen invasions of the time. He rests (presumably) in his tomb in the center of the octagon, whose headstones were raised and fixed against the walls in the 19th century. The church is built in grey-yellow Brunstatt limestone and pink Vosges sandstone, on a central octagonal plan on two floors, with a bell tower-entrance porch and an octagonal dome. It draws much inspiration from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna and the Palatine Chapel in Aachen, also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Charlemagne's private chapel and burial place, in turn inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (the tomb of Christ). The fire of 1445-46, started by the troops of the bishop of Basel in conflict with the Habsburgs, caused the original frescoes to disappear. From 1460, the Abbotess Elisabeth of Blumeneck undertook to adorn the church with new frescoes, but without completing the work. Subsequently, the frescoes are covered with plaster during the repairs of the damage caused to the abbey by the Thirty Years' War. In 1875, during new restorations, the frescoes were rediscovered by chance. In the lower ambulatory one can admire a representation of Pope Gregory's mass in the presence of an abbess. In the direction of the sacristy door, three frescoes depict the members of Rudolf's family: in one we can see Rudolf and his brother Radebot in front of their father Lanzelin, in another Pope Leo IX blessing Rudolf and his wife. On the vault of the ambulatory, in front of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a representation of the symbols of the four evangelists (tetramorph), the angel of Saint Matthew, the ox of Saint Luke, the lion of Saint Mark and the eagle of Saint John. This fresco was repainted in 1903 by a Munich artist. It is in the upper choir and in the cradle vault that one can contemplate the richest frescoes, unfortunately not accessible. The vault of the choir is dedicated to the representation of St. Peter, seated on his throne, surrounded by angels depositing the pontifical tiara on his head, and the symbols of the four evangelists complete the picture; on the walls of the choir, some episodes from the life of St. Peter, such as the delivery of the keys by Jesus. One of the most beautiful frescoes can be found on the cradle vault in front of the choir with a representation of the final judgment. Christ enthroned on an arc-en-ciel, connecting heaven and earth, calls the righteous to resurrection with his right hand raised, that hand facing east, towards the rising sun, symbol of life and light. While the lowered left hand condemns the damned to the fires of hell, at the bottom of the fresco to the left of Christ. The left hand facing west indicates the direction of the setting sun, a symbol of darkness and death. In front of this fresco, a representation of the Archangel Michael defeating a demon, sin, and proceeding to weigh souls (psychostasis).
Built by Rudolf of Altenburg and his wife Cunegonde, founders of the House of Habsburg, and dedicated to the apostles of Christ, Saint Peter and Paul, it is famous in Alsace for its remarkable and rare church architecture with a central octagonal plan in Byzantine style, Carolingian and Ottonian, inspired by the Palatine Chapel of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) of the emperor Charlemagne and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (the tomb of Christ); it was consecrated in 1049 by Pope Leo IX. Rudolf died childless, probably killed with his army of 700 knights from Alsace and neighboring Swabia, by the Normans at the Battle of Civitate in 1053 to defend the Holy Roman Empire against the Norman and Saracen invasions of the time. He rests (presumably) in his tomb in the center of the octagon, whose headstones were raised and fixed against the walls in the 19th century. The church is built in grey-yellow Brunstatt limestone and pink Vosges sandstone, on a central octagonal plan on two floors, with a bell tower-entrance porch and an octagonal dome. It draws much inspiration from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna and the Palatine Chapel in Aachen, also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Charlemagne's private chapel and burial place, in turn inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (the tomb of Christ). The fire of 1445-46, started by the troops of the bishop of Basel in conflict with the Habsburgs, caused the original frescoes to disappear. From 1460, the Abbotess Elisabeth of Blumeneck undertook to adorn the church with new frescoes, but without completing the work. Subsequently, the frescoes are covered with plaster during the repairs of the damage caused to the abbey by the Thirty Years' War. In 1875, during new restorations, the frescoes were rediscovered by chance. In the lower ambulatory one can admire a representation of Pope Gregory's mass in the presence of an abbess. In the direction of the sacristy door, three frescoes depict the members of Rudolf's family: in one we can see Rudolf and his brother Radebot in front of their father Lanzelin, in another Pope Leo IX blessing Rudolf and his wife. On the vault of the ambulatory, in front of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a representation of the symbols of the four evangelists (tetramorph), the angel of Saint Matthew, the ox of Saint Luke, the lion of Saint Mark and the eagle of Saint John. This fresco was repainted in 1903 by a Munich artist. It is in the upper choir and in the cradle vault that one can contemplate the richest frescoes, unfortunately not accessible. The vault of the choir is dedicated to the representation of St. Peter, seated on his throne, surrounded by angels depositing the pontifical tiara on his head, and the symbols of the four evangelists complete the picture; on the walls of the choir, some episodes from the life of St. Peter, such as the delivery of the keys by Jesus. One of the most beautiful frescoes can be found on the cradle vault in front of the choir with a representation of the final judgment. Christ enthroned on an arc-en-ciel, connecting heaven and earth, calls the righteous to resurrection with his right hand raised, that hand facing east, towards the rising sun, symbol of life and light. While the lowered left hand condemns the damned to the fires of hell, at the bottom of the fresco to the left of Christ. The left hand facing west indicates the direction of the setting sun, a symbol of darkness and death. In front of this fresco, a representation of the Archangel Michael defeating a demon, sin, and proceeding to weigh souls (psychostasis).
Misterlo25 (3 years ago)
A very original building. With a centered plan, this church is based on the Carolingian model of the Palatine Chapel in Aix-la-Chapelle. Very important remains of frescoes and painted vaults decorate the interior of the building. A must visit if you are passing through.
A very original building. With a centered plan, this church is based on the Carolingian model of the Palatine Chapel in Aix-la-Chapelle. Very important remains of frescoes and painted vaults decorate the interior of the building. A must visit if you are passing through.
Monika S (5 years ago)
On the Roman road from Basel to Breisach, the church and the monastery were founded around 1030, which refers to the Aachen Palatinate Chapel of Charlemagne. Under Charlemagne it was an empire and now in the EU we are very close again. They speak German and I am happy to have learned French. The Romanesque building is designed as an octagon and refers to eternity, just as today the lying 8 as ∞ is the symbol for infinity - infinity in space and time & the divine! How symbolically powerful one built in the early Middle Ages! And the wonderful frescoes tell stories from the Bible, show tendrils and wonderful colors: with mountain blue and ocher earth that have stood the test of time. A place of peace, joy, very close to God! My photos try to convey that!
On the Roman road from Basel to Breisach, the church and the monastery were founded around 1030, which refers to the Aachen Palatinate Chapel of Charlemagne. Under Charlemagne it was an empire and now in the EU we are very close again. They speak German and I am happy to have learned French. The Romanesque building is designed as an octagon and refers to eternity, just as today the lying 8 as ∞ is the symbol for infinity - infinity in space and time & the divine! How symbolically powerful one built in the early Middle Ages! And the wonderful frescoes tell stories from the Bible, show tendrils and wonderful colors: with mountain blue and ocher earth that have stood the test of time. A place of peace, joy, very close to God! My photos try to convey that!
Michael Martens (5 years ago)
An absolute must for Romanesque fans, worth a detour! Almost 1000 years old central building with an octagonal floor plan and a rustic natural stone dome as well as respectably old wall and ceiling frescoes and stained glass.
An absolute must for Romanesque fans, worth a detour! Almost 1000 years old central building with an octagonal floor plan and a rustic natural stone dome as well as respectably old wall and ceiling frescoes and stained glass.
Stephanie Fraley (7 years ago)
A very unique and stunning church in a beautiful town.
A very unique and stunning church in a beautiful town.
