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Villages / Valais / Goms district / Ritzingerfeld Chapel

Ritzingerfeld Chapel

Site Canton of Valais · District: Goms · Uninhabited site (municipality of Goms)
Part of the municipality of Ritzingen
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Ritzingerfeld Chapel

The chapel takes its name from the Ritzingerfeld, the broad alluvial fan above and east of the village of Ritzingen. The oldest record, from 1592, speaks of « unser frowen » (Our Lady) on the Ritzinger Feld.[1][6][7]

Founding of Ritzingerfeld Chapel

Dedicated to the Mother of God, the chapel stands outside the village of Ritzingen, now in the municipality of Goms (former municipality of Grafschaft). The Grafschaft elected its Ammann here, and the shrine probably goes back to the Middle Ages. The old Furka route climbed through the village and ran past the chapel. A Baroque building in a splendid setting, it is regarded as the emblem of the upper Goms valley (Obergoms) and as the most popular pilgrimage destination in the region.[1][2][6][7]

History of Ritzingerfeld Chapel

1592. First written record of « unser frowen » on the Ritzinger Feld.[6][7]

1638. On behalf of the Grafschaft, Canon Caspar Imboden asks Bishop Bartholomäus Supersaxo to restore and enlarge the chapel.[6][7]

1679. During the visitation of the papal nuncio Odoardo Cibo in the diocese of Sion, the chapel, known for countless miracles, is reported as decaying. Its rebuilding is decided.[6][7]

1687. Construction of the present Baroque building. The date is carved above the portal and the sacristy door.[1][6][7]

1690. The high altar is set up. Its master is unknown, but angels and crowning are attributed to the workshop of Johann Ritz.[6][7]

1691. Completion of the right side altar, dedicated to the Holy Family, an early work by Johann Ritz donated by Christian Huser, parish priest of Biel.[6][7]

1693. Solemn blessing of the chapel, probably on 14 July.[6][7]

17th-18th centuries. Pilgrimage to the chapel of the Mother of God reaches its peak.[1]

1713. Johann Ritz and his brother Andreas donate the left side altar, dedicated to St Catherine.[6][7]

1807. On the night of 9 February an avalanche brings down the north wall and wrecks the interior. The tower and choir survive, and rebuilding starts the same year.[6][7]

1807-1814. Johann Joseph Pfefferle paints the vault. An inscription of 1808 above the chancel arch recalls the avalanche.[6]

1813. Josef Anton Carlen and his father Felix, from Gluringen, complete the new organ, the old one having been destroyed in 1807.[6][7]

1902. A retable fragment painted on both sides, probably 14th century, and a seated Madonna from around 1400 were reportedly found in the chapel. Both are kept at the Swiss National Museum.[7]

1920. When the parish of Gluringen is founded, the chapel is assigned to the parish of Biel.[6][7]

1972. The Christ Child statue of the Holy Family altar is stolen and replaced by a copy.[6]

1984-1994. Exterior restoration and restoration of the screen.[3]

1993-2000. Interior restoration, including the organ, and renovation of the tower and facade.[4]

Historic sites in Ritzingerfeld Chapel

Chapel of Our Lady of the Ritzingerfeld. Baroque pilgrimage chapel at Kapellenweg 143. It is listed as a cultural property of regional importance. Inside are three Baroque altars linked to the workshop of Johann Ritz, a vault painted by Johann Joseph Pfefferle, a pulpit by Anton Lagger reusing the Evangelist statues of the old pulpit, a Crucifixion group and a mid-17th-century crucifix.[2][5][6][7]

Sources

  1. Office fédéral de la culture, Inventaire fédéral des sites construits à protéger en Suisse (ISOS), « Ritzingen (Grafschaft) », relevé n° 5095 (2e version)
  2. Office fédéral de la protection de la population (PBC), « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale Canton du VS » (état au 1.1.2026)
  3. Archives fédérales des monuments historiques, dossier EAD-166617, « Ritzingen, Ritzingerfeldkapelle » (1984-1994), via HelveticArchives
  4. Archives fédérales des monuments historiques, dossier EAD-166609, « Ritzingen, Ritzingerfeldkapelle » (1993-2000), via HelveticArchives
  5. geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Kapellenweg 143, Ritzingen)
  6. Commune de Goms, « Kirchen und Kapellen im Obergoms. Kirchen- & Kapellenführer » (brochure d'information), chapitre « Mutter-Gottes-Kapelle (Ritzingerfeld-Kapelle) »
  7. Wikipédia (allemand), « Muttergotteskapelle im Ritzinger Feld »

Other villages near Ritzingerfeld Chapel

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