Saint-Maurice d’Agaune - its Abbey and its Treasure

With its Romanesque bell tower that stands at the foot of a soaring cliff, the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune presents its visitors with 1500 years of history. From the Early Middle Ages, the memory of the martyrdom of Mauritius and his companions in the Theban Legion, who were massacred for refusing to obey an order that contravened their faith, endowed the site with great prestige in the Christian world. Testimony of the strength of the cult of Mauritius, the Abbey’s treasure is unique for the quality and diversity of its pieces. This guide investigates the history and iconography, as well as the material nature, of the objects of which the treasure is comprised. Through high-definition videos of six emblematic medieval pieces, this publication offers a new understanding of the Abbey and its treasure.