• The Belchenfluh, Eptingen

• St. Chrischona, Bettingen

• St. Margarethen, Binningen

• Augusta Raurica, Kaiseraugst

• Minister crypt, Basle

• Fresco, Oltingen

• St. Verena’s tomb, Bad Zurzach

The Judgement Day fresco

Sitting high above the village, the church, with its walled graveyard and Gothic presbytery, dominates the scene.  This is an ancient sacred place.  Already in Roman times, but especially through the Middle Ages, this was a place of introspection, particularly amongst travellers crossing the Jura from the Ergolztal into the Schweizer Mittelland.  Numerous pilgrims took this route on their way to Einsiedeln.  The path from the village centre to the elevated parsonage leads along the Herrengasse.  Passing through the arched gateway is like stepping into a new world.  On overwhelming peacefulness fills the graveyard of the St. Nicolas Church.  The inner walls of the church are an even bigger surprise, covered with Frescos that were discovered and laid open in 1956.  Especially impressive is the depiction of the Day of Judgement on the west wall of the nave.  There are also scenes from the life of St. Nicolas , alongside  the martyrdom of St. Erasmus, and representations of the holy women, Margaretha with the dragon, Dorothea with a child, and Verena with the tankard.  The paintings served as warnings for an illiterate congregation and date from the late Gothic period.
Legend

opening times :

unrestricted, guided tour by prior inscription: Pfarramt Oltingen pho +41 (0) 61/993 93 30, Pfarrer R. Baumann pho +41 (0) 61/991 03 07

access :

car, bus , train