Abbey of Saint-Maurice

Wallis

The Abbey of Saint Maurice, located in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland, is one of the oldest continuously operating monasteries in the Western world, founded in the 6th century on the site of a Roman shrine. It is renowned for its connection to the martyrdom of Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion, which inspired the establishment of a religious community commemorating their sacrifice. The abbey became a significant religious and political center under King Sigismund of Burgundy in the early 6th century and was notable for pioneering the practice of perpetual psalmody (laus perennis), a continuous chant sung day and night by rotating choirs until the 9th century. Architecturally, the abbey has evolved over fifteen centuries, with archaeological remains revealing multiple successive churches and crypts dating from Roman times through the Carolingian era. Throughout its history, it has been a royal residence and a territorial abbacy independent of any diocese, preserving an impressive collection of art and relics, including the famed Ewer of Saint-Maurice. Today, the abbey remains active with a community of Augustinian canons and operates a respected secondary school, while also embracing modern initiatives such as its own brewery producing beers with historic yeast strains. Its location near a strategic mountain pass has historically subjected it to military and political influences, yet it remains a Swiss heritage site of national significance and a symbol of enduring spiritual and cultural legacy.