A Roman Mausoleum and a Romanesque Church with Gothic fresco’s in Biel

9 April 2024

Biel (canton of Bern) is home to one of the region’s oldest monuments. The history of the St. Stephan’s church in the Mett district dates back to the 4th century AD. A Roman mausoleum served as a final resting place for members of the (military) elite.

A large glass goblet with an image of Dionysius and a pin (fibula) of a Roman army commander points to a high-ranking person.

After the Romans left in the fifth century, the site served as a cemetery until the early 8th century. Around 700, however, a church was built on the graves. During a 1976 renovation of the church, about 140 graves were found and examined. Perhaps the graves belonged to persons from the same family, a family grave. This is consistent with the earlier function of a mausoleum.

Source: Information of the Commune of Biel/Bienne and the Department of Archaeology of the canton of Bern

The church underwent several architectural transformations over the centuries. In the 12th century, it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style, with the first mention dating back to 1228. A fire led to its reconstruction in the Gothic style in the 14th century. The most recent renovations occurred in 1872, 1923, and 1975.

The interior still has Romanesque features, including some windows and Gothic frescoes from the 14th century.

Another special feature of this place is the residential house (the Gertrud-Haus) of Gertrud Kunz (1890-1972), which stands to the church’s right.

(Source and further information: Archäologischer Dienst des Kantons Bern; P. Eggenberger a.o., Vom Spätantiken Mausoleum zur Pfarrkirche, Bern 2016)