Nydeggkirche
Encyclopedia
The reformed
Nydeggkirche (from the Bernese German
expression for "Lower corner") is located on the eastern edge of the Old City of Bern, in the Nydegg
section.
The old town is situated on a peninsula in a loop of the Aare and developed in several expansion stages. The first occurred in 1191, as an existing settlement was expanded in the area of Nydeggkirche to the Clock Tower (Zytglogge
). In 1190 Duke Berchtold V von Zähringen
had built the castle Nydegg. After the extinction of the House of Zähringen, it came under the control of the city and was razed in 1268/70 by the inhabitants of Berne, in order to develop the Nydegg section. It possessed four corner towers and was located about where the current choir
of the church stands.
The original small church was built from 1341 to 1346 to replace the old fortress. This early church featured a roof turret. From 1480 to 1483 the city added a tower and from 1493 to 1504, a new nave
was added. After the Protestant Reformation
in 1529, the Nydeggkirche was transformed into a warehouse for barrels, timber and grain, but in 1566 again served as worship space, and until 1721 it was a branch church of the Münster of Bern.
In 1863, the church was extended to the west and an entrance from the Nydeggbrücke
(Nydegg Bridge) was added. Then, from 1951 to 1953 a total renovation happened. During the renovation, bronze reliefs by Marcel Perincioli were added to the main entrance at Nydegghöfli and the entrance to the bridge.
The Nydegghöflibrunnen or Stalden fountain was added to a niche under Nydegggasse at Nydegghöfli in 1857. Then, in 1968, the Zähringer monument at Nydegghöfli was erected, which had previously been on the Munster platform.
reliefs by Perincioli were inspired by medieval role models in front of San Zeno in Verona
and the Cathedral of Hildesheim
.
On the main door you can see scenes from the life and work of Jesus, on the left wing, from top to bottom:
and on the right wing:
On the Brückentüre are on the left wing, from top to bottom are following scenes:
and on the right wing:
On 8 July 1995, the pastor of Nydeggkirche, Bäumlin Klaus (born 1938), caused a media storm following his offering of a blessing service for same-sex couple for Stephan Diggelmann and Bareld Storm.
Swiss Reformed Church
The Reformed branch of Protestantism in Switzerland was started in Zürich by Huldrych Zwingli and spread within a few years to Basel , Bern , St...
Nydeggkirche (from the Bernese German
Bernese German
Bernese German is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions.- Varieties :There is a lot of regional variation within Bernese German dialects...
expression for "Lower corner") is located on the eastern edge of the Old City of Bern, in the Nydegg
Nydegg
The Nydegg is a historic section in the Old City of Bern in Bern, Switzerland.The first expansion of Bern occurred as the city was founded in 1191. At the east end of the central and oldest neighbourhood, the Zähringerstadt , was the Nydegg castle near the banks of the Aare river. The houses that...
section.
The castle Nydegg
Zytglogge
The Zytglogge tower is a landmark medieval tower in Bern, Switzerland. Built in the early 13th century, it has served the city as guard tower, prison, clock tower, centre of urban life and civic memorial....
). In 1190 Duke Berchtold V von Zähringen
Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen
Berchtold V of Zähringen was Duke of Zähringen until his death, succeeding his father Berchtold IV in 1186.- History and legacy :...
had built the castle Nydegg. After the extinction of the House of Zähringen, it came under the control of the city and was razed in 1268/70 by the inhabitants of Berne, in order to develop the Nydegg section. It possessed four corner towers and was located about where the current choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
of the church stands.
The Church
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
was added. After the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in 1529, the Nydeggkirche was transformed into a warehouse for barrels, timber and grain, but in 1566 again served as worship space, and until 1721 it was a branch church of the Münster of Bern.
In 1863, the church was extended to the west and an entrance from the Nydeggbrücke
Nydeggbrücke
The Nydeggbrücke is a bridge in Bern, Switzerland which connects the eastern part of the old city to the new part. It crosses over the Aare River and is located very close to the Bärengraben. It was built in parallel to the Untertorbrücke in 1840, which until then had been the only bridge crossing...
(Nydegg Bridge) was added. Then, from 1951 to 1953 a total renovation happened. During the renovation, bronze reliefs by Marcel Perincioli were added to the main entrance at Nydegghöfli and the entrance to the bridge.
The Nydegghöflibrunnen or Stalden fountain was added to a niche under Nydegggasse at Nydegghöfli in 1857. Then, in 1968, the Zähringer monument at Nydegghöfli was erected, which had previously been on the Munster platform.
The bronze reliefs
In 1956 bronzeBronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
reliefs by Perincioli were inspired by medieval role models in front of San Zeno in Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
and the Cathedral of Hildesheim
Hildesheim
Hildesheim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the district of Hildesheim, about 30 km southeast of Hanover on the banks of the Innerste river, which is a small tributary of the Leine river...
.
On the main door you can see scenes from the life and work of Jesus, on the left wing, from top to bottom:
- The announcement of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14)
- The baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:1-11)
- Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
- The healing of a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
and on the right wing:
- The birth of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem (Luke 2)
- The temptation of Jesus (Mark 1:12 f.)
- The miraculous feeding (Mark 6:30-44)
- The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:17 ff)
On the Brückentüre are on the left wing, from top to bottom are following scenes:
- The women come to the grave of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8)
- Jesus before Pontius Pilate (Mark 15:1-5)
- The foot washing (John 13:1-20)
- The anointing at Bethany (John 12:1-10)
and on the right wing:
- The risen Christ on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
- The burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42)
- Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42)
- The entrance to Jerusalem (John 12:12-19)
Notable Pastors
Worked as a chaplain at the Nydeggkirche- Jeremiah Lorza (from 1800 to 1832)
- Edward Guedes (from 1855)
- Kurt MartiKurt MartiKurt Marti is a Swiss theologian and poet. His poetry often has theological and religious aspects to it. He is also known for "dialect literature" said to have intellectual quality.- References :...
(from 1961 to 1983)
On 8 July 1995, the pastor of Nydeggkirche, Bäumlin Klaus (born 1938), caused a media storm following his offering of a blessing service for same-sex couple for Stephan Diggelmann and Bareld Storm.