Saint Maurice in St. Moritz

In St. Moritz, there are two historic churches dedicated to Saint Maurice, both showing the deep connection between the town and this important Christian martyr.

The first is the old Church of Saint Mauritius, known today mainly for its leaning bell tower, located near the Hotel Kulm along the old road to Celerina. This church was already mentioned in 1139 as Ecclesia Sancti Mauritii. It was dedicated to Saint Maurice, the leader of the Theban Legion who, according to legend, was martyred in 286 AD for refusing to persecute other Christians. Over the centuries, the church was expanded and altered many times. In 1893, the main part of the church (the nave) was demolished because the ground beneath it had become unstable due to a prehistoric landslide, still visible today near the area called Sass Runzöl. Only the bell tower remains today, built partly in the early 1200s. It still shows Romanesque features like blind arches and is topped by an octagonal dome added in 1672. After a new church was built in the town center in the 18th century, the old church was used mostly for funeral services, as it was close to the cemetery. Some gravestones are still visible today.

The second Church of Saint Mauritius, located further up the Via Maistra, was built between 1785 and 1787 to serve as the new main place of worship in the village. It was designed by Italian builder Antonio Geronimi. Because of a lack of funds, the original church was built in a simple style and without a bell tower. Later, in 1897, architect Nicolaus Hartmann designed a tower in a mix of Mannerist and Neo-Gothic styles. The interior was also redesigned in a Neo-Baroque style. In 1932, architect Hans Winkler led another renovation that simplified the facade and kept only parts of the original structure. Today, the church has a single large hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The choir (altar area) is raised, with a beautiful organ placed at the center.

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