Chiesa San Martino

The simple building with its important proto-Renaissance paintings from the 15th century, in particular the depiction of the Last Supper, is one of the most important Romanesque churches in the canton.

The surrounding walls of the church, the apse and the lower part of the bell tower are in the Romanesque style and date back to 1250. On August 15, 1552, Bondo joined the Reformation, between 1580 and 1590 the frescoes were covered over and have been preserved to this day.

The church was completely restored in 1617. The old wooden coffered ceiling in the nave was replaced by a cross vault. The window openings were changed. The sacristy next to the bell tower was built in 1687 and the two granite portals during the restoration in 1763. During the restoration in 1960/61, frescoes depicting St. Christopher, St. Martin, St. John the Evangelist, St. James the Elder, St. Anthony the Hermit and the coat of arms of Bishop Ortlieb von Brandis (1458-1491) were discovered and uncovered on the main east façade. On the south wall of the nave, cut through the supporting pillar of the vault, is the Last Supper.

Thanks to its excellent acoustics, St. Martin's Church is often used for concerts.

Guided tours in German and Italian are available on request:
Cost: CHF 10 per person
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Contact: Patrizia Guggenheim, guggenheim@varlin.ch