Bellwald’s

Churches  &  Chapels

Chapel Maria zum Schnee (Alpe Richinen) 

On the lintel of the chapel, the construction date is carved: “M 16 + 94”. In 1756, a renovation including the renewal of the ceiling was carried out. Another renovation took place in 1885/1886. Most of the work during the last major restoration in 1987/1988 was done by Stefan Holzer from Bellwald.

 

Pfarrkirche Maria Sieben Freuden 

The parish church of Maria Sieben Freuden was built in 1698. The church consecration took place on September 10, 1704, by Bishop Franz Joseph Supersaxo. It was renovated in 1976 with the help of and according to plans from the Swiss heritage conservation authority. Before the parish church of Maria Sieben Freuden stood a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The church tower is original, with the top story projecting outward. The tower has been struck by lightning twice. The first time was in 1870: during Sunday Vespers, a violent thunderstorm developed. Lightning struck the tower, passed through the church, and killed the organist and a singer on the organ loft. The second time, a severe storm raged on August 22, 1973. Lightning struck the 2.5-meter-high cross, knocking it down and igniting the shingle roof. A fire was prevented thanks to the immediate intervention of the fire brigade.

 

Beinhauskapelle (Chapel)

It was built in 1733/1734 and completely restored together with the parish church in 1976/1977. The cemetery chapel, located in the village, is commonly also called the Beinhauskapelle (ossuary chapel) because in the past, the bones of the deceased found when opening a grave were stacked here in the basement. Today, the chapel is used as a mortuary chapel.

Kapelle hl. Apollonia

Although the chapel actually stands on the territory of the municipality of Niederwald, it belongs to the parish of Bellwald. The chapel was probably built in 1666, as this date is carved into the vault medallion of the choir. Originally, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary; later, the veneration of St. Apollonia, the patron saint against toothaches, was added. The altar painting from 1891 depicts the holy virgin and martyr Apollonia in prison. According to legend, her teeth were knocked out because she refused to renounce her faith. On a crossbeam, it reads: "WHOEVER PRAYS HERE RIGHTLY FROM THE HEART WILL LEAVE THE HOST A CENT FOR PAIN." The chapel fell into disrepair even in the second half of the 20th century. Thanks to a testamentary donation from Joseph Wellig from Fiesch, it was possible to restore it. In 1964, it received a new shingle roof. Through the generous support of Prof. Dr. Xavier Nieberding, the chapel was restored in 1990/1991. The renovation work on the foundation, walls, and roof was carried out by Stefan Holzer from Bellwald. The rededication took place on August 24, 1991.

Muttergottes-Kapelle (Ried)

The houses in the old hamlet of Ried were built on a steeply rising ridge between two marshy areas. In the upper part of the settlement, on a rocky outcrop, stands the chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Unfortunately, this exceptional settlement landscape has been greatly affected in recent decades by newly built structures in the foreground.

Chapel Maria Krönung (Eggen)

We follow the road from Bodmen and arrive at the hamlet of Eggen. Here too stands a chapel dedicated to the Mother of God. It dates back to the 17th century. Against a punched gold background, pierced by a window, stand the Gothic statues of a Coronation of Mary. The entire group radiates calm, peace, and joy. The origin of this group remains unknown.

 

Marienkapelle (Bodmen)

The road leads us into the hamlet of Bodmen, which was an independent municipality until 1821. There too, a chapel was built in honor of the crowned Mother of God. It dates back to the 17th century. The Baroque altar from 1684 has two tiers. The chancel features a seven-sided barrel vault, while the nave has a coffered wooden ceiling.

 

St.-Anna-Kapelle «Zmettjen»

From Fürgangen, we follow the footpath uphill and reach the Baroque chapel of St. Anne—named after the mother of Mary—after about fifteen minutes. The chapel dates from the first half of the 17th century and features a seven-part barrel vault in the chancel and a wooden ceiling in the nave. The chancel is enclosed by a wooden screen. The Baroque altar from 1691 (since 1978 located in the parish church) is built upon two stacked, carved choir benches and consists of three tiers (levels).

 

Dreifaltigkeits-Chapel in Fürgangen

The hamlet of Fürgangen belonged to the parish of Ernen until 1963 and has been part of Bellwald since then. The altar table in the chapel of Fürgangen is adorned with a Baroque fabric antependium. On the upper connecting beam, a 17th-century crucifix is mounted on each side.