St. Margarethen – a collection of legends
According to the legend Margaretha was the daughter of a pagan priest from Antiochia in Asia Minor, who converted to Christianity and was imprisoned and executed for her beliefs. She was canonised in the first half of the 12th century. The roots of this place as a “female shrine” however stretch much further than the early Christian times. Many female saints have pagan goddesses as their ancestors. In this case a traditional Rhaeto-Romanic song tells the tale of Margaretha, a goddess who lived secretly amongst the mortals. The same can be seen in works of art where Margaretha is often depicted together with a dragon – the legendary representation of the goddess Belena.On a clear day the views from the church stretch far into the Black Forest and the Vosges. Tradition has that this was also one of the hills where the “Three Sisters” settled, who then maintained contact with bells in the mornings and lamps in the evenings.
Legend
opening times :
Church is open in the summer from 12h – 17h or by appointment, Tours through the local interest museum by appointment: pho +41 (0) 61/425 53 60
access :car, bus , tramway, bicycle
Baselland Tourismus
Altmarktstrasse 96
CH-4410 Liestal
pho +41 (0) 61/927 64 84
www.baselland-tourismus.ch
Trips:
Herzogenmatten Nature Reserve
Legend