St. Georgs chapel, Romanesque chapel in Berschis, Switzerland
St. Georg's Chapel is a Romanesque chapel in Berschis that sits on a rocky outcrop above the village. The structure has a semicircular choir with a tent roof and a two-aisled hall design, with a baroque altar from the early 1600s featuring carved scenes of Christ, Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene.
The chapel first appears in written records in 1253, but the site has a much longer past. Archaeological digs have uncovered Bronze Age settlement remains and late Roman fortification traces at the location.
Wall paintings from the 1580s show religious figures like Saint Peter and Saint Paul that remain visible inside today. These artistic images shape how the space feels and reflect the religious practice of that era.
The chapel sits on an elevated rock, so reaching it requires some climbing over steep ground. Sturdy footwear and a bit of time to walk up are needed to visit comfortably.
Behind the altar there is a special opening called the headache hole that was used for healing ceremonies in earlier times. This opening is a rare feature that shows how people in the past sought healing through religious practice.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
