Carolingian Chapel of the Holy Cross: a jewel
For a long time, the Chapel of the Holy Cross was thought to be a Romanesque building. However, archaeological and dendrochronological investigations have revealed that it was built between 785 and 788. This means that the chapel originates from the founding period of the monastery. The eastern half of the beamed ceiling between the upper and lower floors is still in its original state. It is the oldest dated wooden ceiling in Europe. On it lies the original Carolingian mortar floor on the upper floor of the chapel. The chapel’s interior must have been a dream: marble choir screens, stucco work and paintings adorned the upper floor. But the chapel was decorated both inside and out.
The upper floor is a chapel again
The lavish decoration suggests that the upper floor originally served as a private chapel for the abbot or other high-ranking dignitaries. It was repeatedly repainted and was last redesigned in 1889 as a Lourdes chapel. After long and extensive restoration work, it is once again in use as a chapel and can be visited as part of a guided tour.
Basement for burials and the dead
The basement was probably a crypt, then from 1520 a chapel with burials and finally an ossuary. The walls are decorated with modern murals that take up the theme of death and resurrection. The paintings were cleaned and desalinated. A new, simple wooden floor has been laid. In the future, the eventful architectural history of the Chapel of the Holy Cross will be presented in this room.
Nine men’s morris on a Carolingian beam
If you look closely at the original beamed ceiling from 788, you can see a game of nine men’s morris (the mill game). This raises the question of whether the carpenters whiled away their lunch breaks playing the game on timber lying around. Interestingly, there are also fine, incised lines on the marble throne of Charlemagne in the Palatine Chapel in Aachen which probably served as a board for nine men’s morris too.
The restoration is complete
The restoration of the Chapel of the Holy Cross was completed in summer 2018. New insights kept emerging that make the Carolingian chapel a real gem of art and architectural history. After the inauguration of the chapel by Auxiliary Bishop Marian Eleganti, it can be used as a sacred space again. The monastery museum also offers guided tours of the chapel.
Guided tours
The chapel can be visited on a guided tour, either on advertised dates or on request.
Take a look at our events calendar. The dates are listed there, or feel free to contact us!
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