Page 25 - LOTN Spring Issue 52 2023

FAITH AND CULTURE

Sisters Spring. The Austrian occupation of Switzerland was harsh
(giving rise, for example, to the legend of William Tell who fought
the evil governor Gessler). Around the start of the 14th century
there were three devout sisters whose father was Walter Greter,
the innkeeper at Greppen, along the lakeside. Their scheming
Austrian overlord demanded that the three girls be brought to his
castle, but they managed to escape his evil intentions and came
to live here at Kaltbad. This large, and hidden, hole in the rocks
was where they settled, and constructed a rough dwelling with
branches and leaves for a roof. Their father secretly sent a servant
with a few goats to support them. The interior of the chapel
Legend tells that when the last of these pious sisters passed
away, a crystal-clear spring started to flow out of the rocks (as it and one "Credo" for the cure to have any effect.
still does) with healing water. This was diverted into a trough, and The popularity of this spring is credited for the growth of
people came to bathe in it to cure their illnesses. At this altitude tourism on the Rigi, with hotels and guest houses opening here
(1433m/4,700 ft) the to cater for the pilgrims. The first is believed to be a guest house,
water is always cold, which, in 1756, was officially licensed as a tavern. The first
usually three degrees chapel was built in brick by the parishioners of Weggis around
centigrade, hence the 1556. This was improved and, in 1585, consecrated by Bishop
name Kaldbad! Balthazar of Konstanz on May 20th. This eventually became
There are many dilapidated and so in 1779 a new one was built and consecrated
contemporar y in 1784. In 1949/1950 another renovation was necessary, and
accounts of the chapel the interior extensively rebuilt, but retaining the altar, tabernacle,
and its popularity and especially the statue of the Virgin Mary, dating from around
over the years. Not all 1500, and that of the Archangel Michael. By 1970, the rather
visitors were entirely humid conditions with sheer rock on three sides and tall dark
convinced of its trees, had caused some deterioration, so more renovation took
properties! In 1601 place, including the replacement of windows and doors. This is
a pilgrim wrote that how you see it today, beautifully maintained, and always popular,
the water was very including for weddings.
cold, and expressed By the 19th century, the religious aspect of the miraculous
some doubts about spring and the chapel gradually gave way to health and “Wellness”
the effectiveness of tourism. Until 1970 it was administered by Capuchin friars, but
the waters curative today it is administered directly by the parish of Weggis, down
powers. The pilgrim below on the lakeside (with a direct cable car connecting the
was expected to two). There is usually a Mass on Sundays at 11.15 am, and the
immerse himself chapel is open every day to receive a steady stream of visitors,
three times in the some just curious, but mostly to light a candle, to pray and to
water, walk round reflect in the peace and quiet of this wonderful chapel in its hole
in the rocks.
The healing spring the chapel, and recite
five “Our Fathers”, You can find more information at: https://www.rigi.ch/en/
five “Hail Marys”
attractions/St-michaels-chapel-in-the-rocks-74334f7288

The next issue of the Light of the North
will be published in the summer. If you
would like to sponsor a page of the next
issue, perhaps in memory of a loved
one, or to celebrate a special occasion,
please contact the editor:
editor.lightofthenorth@rcd-abdn.org

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