St. Peter's Church, Mistail Alvaschein

Alvaschein is the first village on the upper exit of the Schyn Gorge. It stands in an elevated position on a hill top. St Peter’s monastery formerly lay below in a forest clearing at the edge of the gorge. This place still bears the Romansh name “Mistail”, which – like “Müstair”– goes back to the Latin “monasterium”. The 8th century church is all that remains of the Carolingian monastery. The triapsidial church is the little sister of the Church of St John in Müstair. In contrast to the latter, however, the interior of St Peter’s has remained a triapsidial hall, i.e. an undivided space with three separate semi-circular apses adjoining it. The interior was completely decorated in Carolingian times. However, unlike Müstair, only small fragments of the Carolingian wall paintings have been preserved here. Being more robust, the Gothic frescoes were better able to withstand deterioration. In addition to a completely decorated central apse, a portrayal of St Christopher has also been preserved. The giant – the patron saint of travellers – is about four metres tall here.

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