Home Augusta Raurica || Photographic tour	Map No. 71 || <<< Back | Next >>>
Early Christian church of St Gallus

The Bishop of Kaiseraugst The present-day Old Catholic church of Kaiseraugst stands on the foundations of one of the oldest Christian churches and Episcopal Sees in Switzerland. The very first church dedicated to St Gallus was built here as far back as the late 4th century.

- Castrum Rauracense (Kaiseraugst fort) - Early Christianity
Today:		In Roman times:
Where the Castrum Rauracense once stood, directly on the River Rhine, the remains of an Early Christian church and its associated buildings were excavated. Due to the fact that it was rather large in size compared to other churches of the time, this church's influence must have been far-reaching. Kaiseraugst was a bishop's see as early as the 4th century AD. The first Bishop's name was Justinianus. It remains unclear whether this early bishop's see operated continuously throughout the 5th and 6th centuries. The next known Bishop was Ragnachar; he was here in the 7th century. One of the charters mentions him as 'Bishop of Kaiseraugst and Basle'. This is an indication as to the permanent relocation of the Kaiseraugst bishop's see shortly thereafter to the blossoming city of Basle (later-on it was moved to Pruntrut and then Solothurn). Kaiseraugst turned into a modest fishing village and lost the privileges it had had due to its Late Antique size. The northern wall of the St Gallus church and the remains of some of its associated buildings can be visited under a modern protective roof. There, you will also find the small exhibition 'Early Christianity'.
The present-day St Gallus church viewed from the north (from the German bank of the River Rhine). It stands on the foundations of the 4th century Episcopal church. The entrance to the restored masonry fragments is located in front of the church on the bank of the Rhine. In the foreground, you can see the remains of the Late Roman bridgehead.		Remains of the northern fort wall seen from the bank of the River Rhine in Kaiseraugst. The modern metal door on the left leads to the subterranean area with the remains of the St Gallus church and its associated buildings..
In the 1960s, two small basins (one can be seen in the centre of the image) were found to the north of the church remains, and overhastily interpreted as a baptistery. We now know that this building had no religious function. The metal construction serves to prevent the foundations from shifting.		This sarcophagus (left) came to light just a few metres from the Late Antique church apse. An Early Christian tombstone (replica) with a simple cross is on display to the right of the sarcophagus.
<<< Back | Next >>>
Back to Top