Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Swiss Reformation

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.

A church, dedicated Saint Martin of Tours, is known here since around 800. The church and a large part of the town was given to the bishop in 928 by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, (aka "Otto the Great"). Since 1220 it served the parish. The church got severely damaged in 1464 by the town fire, that destroyed most of Chur. The rebuilding - in a late-Gothic style - was completed in 1535, when a little flat for a watchman got installed into the tower. With the Swiss Reformation, triggered in Chur by Johannes Comander, a friend of Ulrich Zwingli, things changed. The Catholics were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside the nearby cathedral. In 1529 the old altar was removed, the church treasury got sold and the remaining silver was melted in. Since then St. Martin serves the Reformed parish. The interior is very sober. In 1918 the organ was moved from the western gallery into the choir.

A church, dedicated Saint Martin of Tours, is known here since around 800. The church and a large part of the town was given to the bishop in 928 by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, (aka "Otto the Great"). Since 1220 it served the parish. The church got severely damaged in 1464 by the town fire, that destroyed most of Chur. The rebuilding - in a late-Gothic style - was completed in 1535, when a little flat for a watchman got installed into the tower. With the Swiss Reformation, triggered in Chur by Johannes Comander, a friend of Ulrich Zwingli, things changed. The Catholics were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside the nearby cathedral. In 1529 the old altar was removed, the church treasury got sold and the remaining silver was melted down. Originally the tower seen here had a smaller "helmet". The spire seen here was added in 1917. Today the tower is 82 metres high!

A cathedral may have existed here already within the 5th century. The Kathedrale St. Mariae Himmelfahrt (= "Saint Mary of the Assumption") of today was erected 1150 - 1272, from east to west. So the portal is probably from the second half of the 13th century. In 1524, during the Swiss Reformation, the Catholic population of the city were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside the cathedral. This "territory" existed over centuries. Only since 1854 Catholic citizens could settle in Chur again, where ever they wanted.

A cathedral may have existed here already within the 5th century. The Kathedrale St. Mariae Himmelfahrt (= "Saint Mary of the Assumption") of today was erected 1150 - 1272, from east to west. The old tower was destroyed by fire in 1811, the tower seen here was built on the old foundations 1828/1829. In 1524, during the Swiss Reformation, the Catholic population of the city were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside the cathedral. This "territory" existed over centuries. Only since 1854 Catholic citizens could settle in Chur again, where ever they wanted.

The Kathedrale St. Mariae Himmelfahrt (= "Saint Mary of the Assumption") as seen from St. Luzius. A cathedral may have existed here already within the 5th century. The cathedral of today was erected 1150 - 1272, from east to west. The old tower was destroyed by fire in 1811, the tower seen here was built on the old foundations 1828/1829. In 1524, during the Swiss Reformation, the Catholic population of the city were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside this cathedral. This "territory" existed over centuries. Only since 1854 Catholic citizens could settle in Chur again, where ever they wanted.