In a solemn ceremony, the relics were reinserted into the altar so that the chapel can once again fulfil its function as a sacred space. An open house took place on Saturday, 15 September. 200 guests from near and far came to see this jewel in a guided tour.

Foundation president Walter Anderau thanks everyone involved
In the afternoon, Walter Anderau, president of the Pro Kloster St. Johann in Müstair foundation, welcomed all the restorers, building researchers, experts and craftsmen involved in the research and restoration, as well as the foundation’s governing bodies, who had all contributed to the success of the foundation’s most significant restoration project in recent years. It is actually thanks to the ‘disobedience’ of archaeologists and restorers that this treasure was discovered. Driven by curiosity, they provided evidence that this was a much more significant structure than originally thought, without the approval of the foundation’s governing bodies. It took an extremely generous donation of one million francs from a couple who wish to remain anonymous to get the ball rolling on a systematic inventory. A total of 3.1 million was invested in the subsequent restoration work. This also includes the specialist craftsmen, restorers, archaeologists and scientists working in the monastery.

Without the numerous benefactors and donors, including those who participated in the ‘Basel hilft Müstair’ (Basel helps Müstair) initiative, and subsidies from the federal government and the canton of Graubünden, this significant restoration project would not have been possible. As a token of appreciation and thanks, Walter Anderau presented everyone with a silver coin from the convent tied in a hand-woven cloth from the Tessanda in Sta. Maria.

Afterwards, the conservator Doris Warger and the art historian and medieval archaeologist Jürg Goll gave attendees a tour of the restoration work of the last ten years. You could literally feel how much the two of them have grown fond of the two-storey Chapel of the Holy Cross, having worked on it for many years and knowing every single corner of it inside out.

Open day at the Chapel of the Holy Cross
On Saturday, 15 September, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was opened to the public. Guided tours took place every hour from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. A total of 200 people took part in the tours to see the results of the many years of restoration work.

The Benedictine nuns of Müstair, the foundation and all those who have worked on the Chapel of the Holy Cross are delighted. The chapel is a further jewel in the over 1,200-year-old monastery complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site of St John at Müstair.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross can only be viewed on a guided tour. The upper floor can be used as a chapel for smaller services and prayers.