On a church walk with Walter Isler, there are many hidden treasures to discover in and around the church. The tour is enriched with organ pieces that show the diversity of this instrument. Jürg Stocker will be playing the organ.
Meeting point is on Saturday, 3 August 2024, at 1.45 pm in front of the church of San Giachem in Bever. Duration until approx. 15.15 hrs. Admission free. No registration necessary.
In its current form and design from 1667, the reformed church in Bever is a chancelless, west-facing baroque hall church. The church was first mentioned in documents in 1334 as "ecclesia Sti. Jacobi". This predecessor church had its entrance on the west wall, which was decorated with frescoes. These Gothic frescoes from the middle of the 14th century are a unique cultural asset in the Engadin.
In 1501 the former church was rebuilt and in 1665-67 the present church was built, retaining only the west wall. This is the oldest chancel-less baroque church in the Engadin. The tower was completed in 1673. According to an agreement with the master builder Pancera from Valle Maggia, this tower had to follow the model of Bel Taimpel Celerina. Today, three bells hang in the tower, cast in 1886 by the Theus brothers in Felsberg.
The first organ was built in 1852/1853 by Franz Zimmermann, an organ builder from Munich. In 1967, the instrument was restored by Orgelbau Metzler and fitted with a new case.
On a church walk with Walter Isler, there are many hidden treasures to discover in and around the church. The tour is enriched with organ pieces that show the diversity of this instrument. Jürg Stocker will be playing the organ.
Walter Isler came to Graubünden as a young chemist. After years in marketing, sales and management, he trained as a church guide after his retirement. He has been offering church and cultural tours in the Upper Engadine since 2021. He lives in Bever. Jürg Stocker received his organ training from Ursula Hauser, Hansjörg Stalder and Ester Mottini. After years as an organist in Domleschg, Schams and Bergün, he has been organist in the reformed parish of the Upper Engadine since 2017, primarily in Samedan, Bever and La Punt Chamues-ch.
Flyer Kirche San Giachem Bever (PDF)
