Elisabethenkapelle Inselspital

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Entrance area of ​​the Elisabethenkapelle, Inselspital Bern

The Roman Catholic Elisabethenkapelle at Inselspital Bern was built in 1961–1962 by architect Walter Rigert.

history

In 1908 the Inselspital commissioned the architect Karl Indermühle to build a chapel on the Friedbühlhügel, which should serve the Reformed and the Catholic people in equal parts. This was sufficient until the 1960s. Then because of the growing population it was decided to build an additional Catholic chapel. The Ticino architect Walter Rigert (1927–2018) then created the new building in 1961–1962, adjoining the existing chapel to the south. It was consecrated to St. Elisabeth on September 30, 1962 . In 2011, a major renovation took place, in which the laying out rooms in the basement were also renewed. At the same time, the architect Patrick Thurston redesigned the church interior.

Building description

Elisabethenkapelle Inselspital, choir side with concrete slat supports

The hexagonal building stands recessed, at right angles below the reformed chapel on the slope of the hill. The entrance zone with the organ gallery adjoins the southern corner. The architect planned his building without a high roof and with only a low bell beam. So the unobstructed view of the Alpine panorama from the terrace of the chapel above was preserved. In the meantime, several high-rise buildings have come into focus and the chapels stand unnoticed in the background of the Inselspital high-rise beds.

Interior and artistic equipment

Visitors can access the chapel via the access terrace. From the initially dark entrance area under the gallery, the room expands, according to the architect, to “ever greater brightness and liberation”. As if in two handshells, the people are safe and led by invisible force to the light-flooded chancel.

The artist Max von Mühlenen created a glass painting between the high concrete slats of the wide choir front . It depicts the torn curtain of the Temple of Jerusalem in red, purple and blue glass . A picture of Saint Anthony of Padua in a Franciscan robe with two lilies as an attribute and the consecration crosses were also symbolized by Max von Mühlenen as simple drawings on the walls.

A bronze sculpture of St. Elisabeth of Thuringia hangs on the wall under the gallery , designed by Brother Xaver Ruckstuhl from Engelberg Monastery . The altar with the Greek inscription AGIOS ATHANATOS («Holy Immortal») and deepened triangles as a symbol of the Trinity , the tabernacle with the characters EGO VERITAS VIA ET VITA (« I am the way and the truth and the life ») ( John 14 , 9  LU ), as well as the cross, ambo and the Easter candlestick are from Albert Schilling , Arlesheim. A colored Pietà stands on a bench in a small side chapel, accompanied by sacrificial candles.


organ

The organ by Jean-Daniel Ayer Sàrl, Vauderens FR, was inaugurated in 1994. The instrument has mechanical action with 15 registers and two excerpts, on two manuals and a pedal . The wind chests are designed as sliding chests.

See also

literature

  • Gabriela Hanke et al .: Catholic Bern from 1799 to 1999. A stopover . Total Roman Catholic parish of Bern and the surrounding area, Bern 1999.

Web links

Commons : Elisabethenkapelle Inselspital  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Parish gazette. September 30, 1962.
  2. ^ Catholic hospital chapel Inselspital Bern BE in the organ directory Switzerland and Liechtenstein . Retrieved August 13, 2019.

Coordinates: 46 ° 56 '54.3 "  N , 7 ° 25' 25.9"  E ; CH1903:  598876  /  one hundred and ninety-nine thousand seven hundred and four