Religious Architecture in Switzerland

From towering cathedrals and grandiose chapels to simple wooden churches nestled in the picturesque countryside, religious architecture in Switzerland serves as a profound testament to the country's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Over the centuries, these sacred structures have evolved, reflecting the religious, social, and artistic currents of their time. In the 16th century, the Reformation, particularly under the influence of John Calvin, dramatically reshaped the religious landscape of Switzerland. As Protestantism took hold, many existing Catholic churches were repurposed for Protestant use. This transformation led to the removal of ornate decorations, statues, and altars, replacing them with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The pulpit was moved to a central position, emphasizing the importance of preaching and the Word of God. The 20th century brought another wave of transformation to Swiss religious architecture, marked by the embrace of modernist principles and bold experimentation with new materials and forms. Architects like Walter Maria Förderer pioneered the use of raw concrete and sculptural spaces, reflecting a desire to express spirituality in new, contemporary ways. These photo series explore some of the highlights of 1500 years of religious architecture in Switzerland.

Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune
Saint-Maurice, VS
6th century
Paritätische Alte Kirche, Romanshorn
Romanshorn
779
Abbatiale de Romainmôtier
Rômainmotier
990 - 1028
Abbatiale de Payerne
Payerne
11th century
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
Geneva
1150 - 1250, 1752 - 1755, 19th century
Cathédrale de Lausanne
Lausanne
1170 - 1235, 1825 - 1827, late 19th century
Barfüßerkirche, Basel
Basel
1275 - 1309
Collégiale de Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel
1190
Kloster Königsfelden
Windisch
1314 - 1330
Reformierte Kirche Malans
Malans
1469
Nossa Donna
Promontogno
15th century
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Sion
Sion
end of the 15th century
Pfarrkirche St. Georg, Ernen
Ernen
1510 - 1518
San Pietro, Poschiavo
Poschiavo
1538
Wallfahrtskirche Heiligkreuz
Hasle
1588, redesigned in 1753
Pfarrkirche St. Peter und Paul, Andermatt
Andermatt
1602
Sebastianskapelle, Brig
Brig
1636 / 1637
San Vittore, Poschiavo
Poschiavo
1653
St. Josefskapelle, Mühlebach
Mühlebach
1673 - 1676
Kloster Disentis
Disentis
1683 - 1704
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Poschiavo
1692 - 1709
Kloster Muri
Muri
1694 - 1697
Abbatiale de Bellelay
Saicourt
1710 - 1714
Oratorio di Sant'Anna
Poschiavo
1732
Temple d'Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon-les-Bains
1753 - 1757
Stiftskirche St. Gallus und Otmar
St. Gallen
1755 - 1767
Ittinger Museum
Kartause Ittingen
1763 - 1767
Temple de Broye
Prilly
1765 - 1766
Temple de Morges
Morges
1776
Rundkirche Saas-Balen
Saas-Balen
1809 - 1812
Basilique Notre-Dame du Valentin
Lausanne
1832 - 1835, 1932 - 1933
Temple de La Sarraz
La Sarraz
1835 - 1837
Pfarrkirche St. Peter und Paul
Villmergen
1863 - 1866, ceiling 1909
Synagogue de La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds
1894 - 1896
Crématoire de La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds
1908 - 1910
Sankt Johannes der Täufer, Romanshorn
Romanshorn
1911 - 1913
Antoniuskirche
Basel
1925 - 1927
Église du Christ-Roi, Fribourg
Fribourg
1951 - 1954
Église Plan Conthey
Plan Conthey, VS
1954
Église Sainte-Croix
Sierre
1959 - 1962
Piuskirche, Meggen
Meggen
1964 - 1966
Paroisse catholique Saint-François d'Assise
Renens
1966
Heiligkreuzkirche, Chur
Chur
1966-1969
Johanneskirche, Luzern
Luzern
1967 - 1970
Herz-Jesu Kirche Brig
Brig
1968 - 1970
Saint-Nicolas d'Hérémence
Hérémence
1968 - 1971
Église Catholique Saint-Pierre
Bussigny
1969
Temple Saint-Jean, La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds
1972
Caplutta Sogn Benedetg
Sumvitg
1988
Steinkirche Cazis
Cazis
1998
Chapelle St-Loup
Pompaples
2008
Neo Apostolic Church, Lausanne
Lausanne
2016-2019
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