Moutier-Grandval Abbey

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The monastery of Moutier- Grandval ( German: Münster- Gran Rheinfelden ) is a former Benedictine abbey at Moutier in the Bernese Jura, Switzerland.

To 630 penetrated some messengers of Columban in the wilderness of the Grand Val ago, took up residence here and began clearing the area. The foundation of the monastery with the name Monasterium in Grandis vallis fell in the period around 640 as the first abbot of St. Germanus of Trier, who quickly helped the monastery to regional prominence and 675, together with his companions Randoald martyred under management. In the early days, the monks lived according to the Rule of St. Columban, from the 9th century, the Benedictine Rule was implemented. An important work from this period is the richly illustrated bible of Moutier- Grandval, which was written in Marmoutier monastery near Tours and then donated to the abbey. Today it belongs to the British Museum in London.

In 968, the monastery came to King Conrad of Burgundy. Because his son, King Rudolf III. believed in the doomsday in the year 1000, he bequeathed to the abbey with the associated property 999 the bishopric of Basel. This donation was probably used as a basis for the expansion of power of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. Although the bishops of Basel were trying to extend their influence over the area of the Abbey Moutier- Grandval, their rights have been recognized, however during the 11th century, neither yet from the Abbey from the chapter. 1079 the monastery was converted into a Monastery.

During the Middle Ages the monastery experienced a large heyday, was an important religious center and had a similarly far-reaching importance as the monastery of St. Gall. In a document Pope Alexander II in 1179 laid down the independence and privileges of the monastery. It was only in 1210 became the Bishop of Basel dominion over the provost ( Prévôté ) Moutier, where the legal violence remained the bailiff and the chapter. When in 1533 the Reformation was introduced, the chapter moved to Solothurn and 1534 to Delémont. There it remained until 1793.

The provost Moutier- Grandval included from the 16th century to 1797 the valley of Moutier ( Grand Val ), the Petit Val and the Vallée de Tavannes, and smaller areas in the southern and eastern part of the basin Dels Berger.

In fall 2008, reported the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, that probably remains of the monastery were found in the old town of Moutier. Mortar and soil apparently date from the period before the 13th century.

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