11 July 2025 (sunny and warm) 0km

Today will be focused around a church a couple of kms away from where we are staying.

It is St. Michael Abbey in Beromunster. 

The first monastery was founded on site in 720.

Around the year 1000 construction of the present church began.

It's grown into a very impressive religious and cultural site.

The canons don't belong to any order, but are world priests.

Until 1806 they were mainly nobility or patricians. 

The church is Romanesque columnar basilica from 1036, with a crypt and richly carved choir stalls from 1609.

The alters, pulpit and font and the three organs are of the finest quality.

The church is classed as one of Switzerlands most beautiful rococo buildings. 








The complex consists of 40 buildings and contains remarkable works of art.

The owner is a foundation that has been in existence for over 1000 years. 







Over the years Julia and I, being the ultra religious pair we are, have visited many beautiful "houses of God".

Some have been your " tiny home" set up, usually out in the middle of a field, where the farm workers may have popped in for a "quick pray".

Others have been your plain, stone type building, obviously when " Gods parishioners “were a little short on funds and others have been huge Basilicas, with enormous grounds and buildings, bible school attached (a bit like a Granny flat, but for potential priests).

These are the kinds of places you look at and go “these guys were taking the piss."

Whilst peasants were struggling or starving, these fellas, (usually living in this "mansion on the hill") were lording it up closer to God. 

The complex you will see here is one of these, but just for today, let's forget that there are people starving in Africa and enjoy the decadent, stunning beauty of these structures.












Just like the pearly gates Pete, I don't think you'll be getting in there!




Another famous landmark is the Radio Beromunster tower and these little radios are placed around the town and you can listen to some of the original broadcasts on them. Beromunster radio station was famous because it was the main broadcasting station for German speaking Switzerland and an impartial voice during WW2.

The special treatment we received from Ernst and Margrit, really knew no bounds. They had gluten free food ready for me and special bread baked for Pete.


But it was getting the road resealed ready for our departure which really blew us away.


So Rooksie, a good job you went back to NZ, and missed out on hosting us as our standards are very high now and we expect the black carpet to be rolled out wherever we go.



Comments

  1. DotdenJuly 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM

    Wow, you guys were certainly spoilt these last couple of days. I'm surprised you want to move on! That church is amazing it must have been the oldest you have visited. How's the knee holding out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pete and Julia DolanJuly 13, 2025 at 9:46 AM

      Knee responded well to someone giving it love and attention. I didn't have the energy 🤣

      Delete
  2. Keren EarpJuly 12, 2025 at 8:52 PM

    You two will certainly have entry at the pearly gates if visiting and photographing churches gives you enough points 🤔
    The year of construction is rather mind blowing, I’m currently reading the pillars of the earth which will be enlightening.
    You will be enjoying walking around not having to keep an eye on your bikes for a couple of days while they get the path up to scratch.
    Great to see blue sky and no complaints about temp so must be “just right “
    Hope the knee is behaving what’s the route plan from here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pete and Julia DolanJuly 13, 2025 at 9:45 AM

      Round Lake Lucerne, up to Andermatt (ski field , so it's high!) and then east, heading to Dolomites

      Delete

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