The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-12-27
SWISS PLACES Of WORSHIP
CONTINUED from page ~


mated by roaring waterfalls and trans
parent mountain lakes. Dark green
fir-WoOds and velvety pastures cover
the slopes and form the transition
from the region Of the hills to the
realm of the high Alps. And in this
radiant paradise of wales and noun
tains there stands almost on every
height a little place of worship, an
emblem of peace and good will, send
ing greetings far and wide.
One of the most venerable spots in
the entire regiOn is Chur or Coire, the
capital Of the canton, which traces its
foundation back to the Roman era,
when it was generally known as Curia
Rhaetorum. What is known as the
Episcopal court occupies high ground.
Here the Cathedral of St. Lucius and
the bishops palace face upon
square, adorned with a fountain, the
entire quarter being surrounded with
walls, SO that its general appearance
is quite like a fortress. The biSh0pric
is first mentioned in the acts Of q
Synod Of Milan, IN ASP; but there is
the legend of a missionary, certain
Saint Lucius, from Britain, who is sup
posed to have established himself here
at an earlier time.
The Cathedral of St. Lucius, named
after the traditional first bishop of
Coire, was begun in the 18th century
and cOnsecrated in 1882. 1t is the sue
Of NJ oh, 1oti
sibly as far fack as the 4th century.
The general character of the building
is Gothic, though the Romanesque
feeling still fingers in many of the de-
tails.
The interior is remarkably beautiful
in every detail, and art critics declare
that the 18th century High Altar, for
instance, masterpiece in carved
wood, painted and gilded is one of the
finest examples OF its kind in exis-
fence. The Virgin, supported by S.
Emerita, Lucius, Ursula and Fiorian,
occupies the center, while on the
wings are IS. Gailus and Othmar, SIS.
Sigisbert and Placidus. The exterior
shows the Nativity and the Alteration
of the Magi; below are six scenes from
the Passion, and on the canopy ap-
pear the Annunciation, the Coronation
of the Virgin, the Holy Trinity, Proph-
cts, Apostles and the Last Judgment.
AT the back is the Crucifxion.
Arosa.
From Chur we may follow the
course Of the River PIessur to the
sunny heights of Arosa, whose pictur-
esque village church never fails to
inspire visiting poets, or we may ex-
plOre the romantic home of the Rab-
lOsa, the district of Churwalden and
Lenzerheide. The still existing,
weather beaten monastery building at
Arosa, foundation of the st. Lucius
Bisphoric of Coire, is now the resi-
dence of the Catholic priest
Via the lovely Pratigau, the vale
OF meadows, watered by the Land
quart, we gradually climb by train to
the higher situated villages of the
GriSOns, which adorn the extensive
net Of the RhaGtian Railway, like an
endless string Of matchless pearls.
Holsters, Davos, Frauenkirch, GIaris,
Wiescn, Filisur Stuis, Bergun, Sauna
den, Celcrina-each and every one
with one or several dignitied places
of worship of its owni Then comes
St Moritz-known in the 18th century
as a pilgrim resort, with a quaint
leaning tower, the only remains of the
parish church, and above and below
on both banks of the boisterous Inn
is an unbroken line of tiny hamlets
and ancient villages, with little
chapel or church forming the charac
teristic feature of the community.
The Irish Sigisbertus.
What is, however. considered to be
the most famous place of worship in
the canton of the Grisons is the old
Monastery OF E'seEti4, founded in Ga
4 d. by the Irish apostle Saint Sieis
pertus. and later richly endowed by