Buonas, Kapelle St. German, Chapel from 1631 in Risch, Switzerland
St. German Chapel is a small religious structure built in 1631 with stone walls, wooden beams, and a pitched roof in the style of seventeenth-century Swiss construction. The interior centers on an elaborately designed altar with side altar installations that add depth to the sacred space.
The chapel began in 1631 under the direction of priest German Wetzstein who oversaw its construction. A local patron then commissioned significant interior modifications and altar additions over the following decades, shaping the building that survives today.
The main altar painting depicts the sacred landscape of Lake Zug with religious figures floating above it. This connection between the holy and the local surroundings shaped how people understood their faith in this region.
The chapel sits along St. Germanstrasse in Buonas and can be located by exploring the surrounding area on foot. Published resources by local researchers offer detailed insights into its architectural features and historical background for those seeking more information.
The altar painting includes a kneeling figure depicting the chapel's patron with folded hands and prayer beads. Including a living donor's portrait in such a prominent location within the sacred composition was an uncommon honor in that period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.