Prieuré de Saint-Jean
Origin of the name Prieuré de Saint-Jean
The monastery is called « Saint-Jean hors les murs » because it lay outside the city wall. In 1153 the church is named « Saint-Jean-hors-les-murs ». Which Saint John is meant is not known.[2]
Founding of Prieuré de Saint-Jean
The priory of Saint-Jean is an archaeological site in the municipality of Genève, at Pont Sous-Terre, between the Jonction and the Saint-Jean district, on the right bank of the Rhône. The Benedictine monastery of Saint-Jean outside the walls has its roots in the 6th century. A wooden church, then around the year 1000 a stone basilica with conventual annexes, preceded the Romanesque church of the 12th century. Before 1107 Bishop Guy de Faucigny gave the church to the Benedictine abbey of Ainay in Lyon, which made it a priory. The monastery was abandoned at the Reformation and its ruins were used to strengthen the ramparts. The remains, discovered in 1966, have been open to the public since 1973.[1][2][3]
History of Prieuré de Saint-Jean
6th century. The Benedictine monastery of Saint-Jean outside the walls has its roots in this period. It is said to be mentioned in the Lives of the Jura Fathers.[1]
8th-9th centuries. A wooden church with three naves is built on the site, dated from the burials found.[3]
Around 1000. A stone basilica about 32 metres long, with conventual annexes, replaces the wooden church.[3]
Before 1107. Bishop Guy de Faucigny gives the church to the abbey of Ainay; 1107 is the date of the first mention of Ainay's rights in the region.[2]
12th century. A Romanesque church replaces the basilica; Saint-Jean becomes a priory.[3]
1153. Ainay holds in the diocese of Geneva the church of Saint-Jean-hors-les-murs and its dependency of Saint-Georges, turned into priories.[2]
16th century. At the Reformation Ainay's Genevan properties are secularised. The monastery is abandoned, then dismantled, and its ruins are used to strengthen the ramparts and for the gallows of Champel.[2][3]
1966. Discovery of the remains of the monastery of Saint-Jean outside the walls.[3][4]
1973. An archaeological walk is laid out to display the ruins.[3][4]
Historic sites in Prieuré de Saint-Jean
Archaeological walk of the priory of Saint-Jean. Route laid out in 1973 at Pont Sous-Terre, freely accessible, presenting the remains of the successive churches and of the monastery.[3][4]
Remains in Prieuré de Saint-Jean
Remains of the monastery. Foundations of the successive churches (wooden church, basilica of around 1000, Romanesque church of the 12th century) and of the conventual buildings, uncovered in 1966.[3][4]
Legends of Prieuré de Saint-Jean
Saint Romanus and the lepers. According to a tradition, Saint Romanus is said to have healed two lepers in a cave near the site.[3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Genève (commune) » (Martine Piguet, Jean Terrier, Charles Bonnet, Liliane Mottu-Weber, Irène Herrmann, Charles Heimberg)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Ainay » (Jean-Daniel Morerod)
- République et canton de Genève, Service cantonal d'archéologie, « Promenade archéologique du prieuré de Saint-Jean » (2008)
- République et canton de Genève, Archéologie genevoise, « Prieuré Saint-Jean »
- Office fédéral de topographie swisstopo, geo.admin.ch, nom local « Ancien Prieuré de Saint-Jean (GE) - Genève »
Other villages near Prieuré de Saint-Jean
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