Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint Norbert

A Premonstratensian convent got established here around 1150, only a decade after this order had settled in nearby Chur and only 30 years after Saint Norbert (aka "Norbert of Xanten") had founded the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines") in Prémontré near Laon. The Premonstratensians were a really fast growing order in Europe at that time (- and they still exist). The first church of the convent was built on a different site, but in the early 13th century, a Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint Michael, was erected here. In 1472 the church burnt down and got rebuilt (and enlarged) using the old foundations. In 1502 the new church was dedicated to Mary, St. Michael and the holy angels. During the Swiss Reformation the Premonstratensians had to withdrew, so from 1646 to 1967 the church was as a "simultaneum" used equally by Catholics and by Reformed Protestants, worshipping here at different times and with different clergies. Since 1967 the Protestants use an own (new) parish church.

A Premonstratensian convent got established here around 1150, only a decade after this order had settled in nearby Chur and only 30 years after Saint Norbert (aka "Norbert of Xanten") had founded the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines") in Prémontré near Laon. The Premonstratensians were a really fast growing order in Europe at that time (- and they still exist). The first church of the convent was built on a different site, but in the early 13th century, a Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint Michael, was erected here. In 1472 the church burnt down and got rebuilt (and enlarged) using the old foundations. In 1502 the new church was dedicated to Mary, St. Michael and the holy angels. During the Swiss Reformation the Premonstratensians had to withdrew, so from 1646 to 1967 the church was as a "simultaneum" used equally by Catholics and by Reformed Protestants, worshipping here at different times and with different clergies. Since 1967 the Protestants use an own (new) parish church. This frescoe, depicting the "Coronation of the Virgin", was found during a renovation under plaster in the niche. It is a work of the "Waltensburger Meister", (see Chur Cathedral and Casti). As the artist worked around 1330, this part of the church did not got destroyed during the fire in 1472. The "Coronation of the Virgin" is a very popular icon since early Gothic times (eg. Senlis, Poitiers, Chartres..)

A Premonstratensian convent got established here around 1150, only a decade after this order had settled in nearby Chur and only 30 years after Saint Norbert (aka "Norbert of Xanten") had founded the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines") in Prémontré near Laon. The Premonstratensians were a really fast growing order in Europe at that time (- and they still exist). The first church of the convent was built on a different site, but in the early 13th century, a Romanesque church, dedicated to Saint Michael, was erected here. In 1472 the church burnt down and got rebuilt (and enlarged) using the old foundations. In 1502 the new church was dedicated to Mary, St. Michael and the holy angels. During the Swiss Reformation the Premonstratensians had to withdrew, so from 1646 to 1967 the church was as a "simultaneum" used equally by Catholics and by Reformed Protestants, worshipping here at different times and with different clergies. Since 1967 the Protestants use an own (new) parish church.

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. The center of the semicircular "ring crypt", dated to the 8th century, is the "confessio", where the relics of Saint Luzius were kept -until 923, when they were stolen. Since 1108 they are stored safely in the near Cathedral of Chur. Still down here is the tomb of Saint Emerita, the legendary sister of Saint Lucius. "Emerita" and "Lucius" are "talking names", just like "Benedictus" and his sister "Scholastica".

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. Entering the semicircular "ring crypt", dated to the 8th century. In the center is a "confessio", where the relics of Saint Luzius were kept -until 923, when they were stolen. Since 1108 they are stored safely in the near Cathedral of Chur.

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. Upstairs the three nave risen choir downstairs the crypt. The doors, seen in the "hall-crypt" (left and right) lead into a semicircular "ring crypt". This crypt was part of the Carolingian church.

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. The three nave risen choir and the crypt below are dating to the Romanesque church, consecrated in 1295.

St. Lucius, today part of a theological seminary, looks very modern, but is not. The tower seen here was erected in 1937, as the medieval tower burnt down in 1811. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new Gothic vaulting.