Saint John Abbey, Müstair: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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It is believed that the abbey was established ca. [[780]] by a bishop of [[Chur]]<ref name=ICOMOS>[http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/269.pdf ICOMOS Evaluation for UNESCO]</ref><ref name="HDS"/> perhaps under orders from [[Charlemagne]]<ref name="HDS">{{HDS|11610|Müstair Abbey}}</ref>. It was built during a wave of monastery construction that included the nearby monasteries at [[Cazis]], [[Alvaschein|Mistail]], [[Pfäfers]] and [[Disentis]]. The abbey was located along a route over the [[Swiss Alps|Alps]] from [[Italy]] to [[Bavaria]] and was fortified to allow it to control the pass. In [[881]] the abbey passed over to be completely under the control of the [[Bishop of Chur]]. |
It is believed that the abbey was established ca. [[780]] by a bishop of [[Chur]]<ref name=ICOMOS>[http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/269.pdf ICOMOS Evaluation for UNESCO]</ref><ref name="HDS"/> perhaps under orders from [[Charlemagne]]<ref name="HDS">{{HDS|11610|Müstair Abbey}}</ref>. It was built during a wave of monastery construction that included the nearby monasteries at [[Cazis]], [[Alvaschein|Mistail]], [[Pfäfers]] and [[Disentis]]. The abbey was located along a route over the [[Swiss Alps|Alps]] from [[Italy]] to [[Bavaria]] and was fortified to allow it to control the pass. In [[881]] the abbey passed over to be completely under the control of the [[Bishop of Chur]]. During the early years of the the abbey, a series of [[fresco]]s were painted in the church during the early 8<sup>th</sup> Century. Then, in the 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> Century the abbey experienced a second expansion and new paintings were added or painted over the old frescos. These paintings were lost and were only rediscovered in the 20<sup>th</sup> Century. During the expansion of the 11<sup>th</sup> Century the Bishop of Chur expanded his residence at the Monastry. A fine [[Tower house|tower home]], [[cloister]] and the double chapel of St. Ulrich and St. Niklaus were added. At some time in the 12<sup>th</sup> Century it was converted into a nunnery. The change to a nunnery is first mentioned [[1167]], but it happened sometime before this date<ref name="HDS"/>. |
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==Paintings== |
==Paintings== |
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[[Image:Meister von Müstair 002.jpg|thumb|8<sup>th</sup> Century [[fresco]] showing Christ healing a mute.]] |
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During the 20th-century restoration works, some [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] frescoes from the 1160s were discovered there. Other murals are dated to [[Charlemagne]]'s reign. The UNESCO recognised these as "Switzerland's greatest series of figurative murals, painted c. A.D. 800, along with Romanesque frescoes and stuccoes"<ref name=UNESCO List">[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/269 UNESCO List] accessed [[April 28]], [[2008]]</ref>. |
During the 20th-century restoration works, some [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] frescoes from the 1160s were discovered there. Other murals are dated to [[Charlemagne]]'s reign. The UNESCO recognised these as "Switzerland's greatest series of figurative murals, painted c. A.D. 800, along with Romanesque frescoes and stuccoes"<ref name=UNESCO List">[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/269 UNESCO List] accessed [[April 28]], [[2008]]</ref>. |
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The original single [[nave]] church with five [[Apse|apses]] has several significant [[Early Middle Ages]] [[fresco]]es from around 800. The |
The original single [[nave]] church with five [[Apse|apses]] has several significant [[Early Middle Ages]] [[fresco]]es from around 800. The paintings include images of [[Christ]]'s life and scenes from the life of [[David|King David]] of the [[Hebrew Bible]]/[[Old Testament]]. The apses and the eastern wall were repainted in the 12<sup>th</sup> Century with [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] frecsos showing a variety of [[Bible|biblical]] themes including the dinner of [[Herod Antipas]] (where the dancing of [[Herodias]]' daughter lead to the execution of [[John the Baptist]]<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|14:6-11|NRSV}}; {{bibleverse||Mark|6:19-28|NRSV}}</ref>), the [[Parable of the Ten Virgins|wise and foolish virgins]], [[apostle]]s and [[Saint Stephen|St. Stephen]]<ref name="HDS"/>. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 18:10, 28 April 2008
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Criteria | Cultural: iii |
| Reference | 269 |
| Inscription | 1983 (7th Session) |
The Convent of Saint John is an ancient Benedictine monastery in Müstair, Switzerland and, by reason of its exceptionally well-preserved heritage of Carolingian art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
History
It is believed that the abbey was established ca. 780 by a bishop of Chur[1][2] perhaps under orders from Charlemagne[2]. It was built during a wave of monastery construction that included the nearby monasteries at Cazis, Mistail, Pfäfers and Disentis. The abbey was located along a route over the Alps from Italy to Bavaria and was fortified to allow it to control the pass. In 881 the abbey passed over to be completely under the control of the Bishop of Chur. During the early years of the the abbey, a series of frescos were painted in the church during the early 8th Century. Then, in the 11th and 12th Century the abbey experienced a second expansion and new paintings were added or painted over the old frescos. These paintings were lost and were only rediscovered in the 20th Century. During the expansion of the 11th Century the Bishop of Chur expanded his residence at the Monastry. A fine tower home, cloister and the double chapel of St. Ulrich and St. Niklaus were added. At some time in the 12th Century it was converted into a nunnery. The change to a nunnery is first mentioned 1167, but it happened sometime before this date[2].
Paintings
During the 20th-century restoration works, some Romanesque frescoes from the 1160s were discovered there. Other murals are dated to Charlemagne's reign. The UNESCO recognised these as "Switzerland's greatest series of figurative murals, painted c. A.D. 800, along with Romanesque frescoes and stuccoes"[3].
The original single nave church with five apses has several significant Early Middle Ages frescoes from around 800. The paintings include images of Christ's life and scenes from the life of King David of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The apses and the eastern wall were repainted in the 12th Century with Romanesque frecsos showing a variety of biblical themes including the dinner of Herod Antipas (where the dancing of Herodias' daughter lead to the execution of John the Baptist[4]), the wise and foolish virgins, apostles and St. Stephen[2].
References
- ^ ICOMOS Evaluation for UNESCO
- ^ a b c d Müstair Abbey in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
- ^ UNESCO List accessed April 28, 2008
- ^ Matthew 14:6–11; Mark 6:19–28
External links
Media related to Monastry of Saint John in Müstair at Wikimedia Commons- Saint John Abbey, Müstair in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
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