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Chapel | Historical site

Poor Souls Chapel in Trämel

The small, picturesque Poor Souls Chapel in Trämel became the destination of many pilgrims.

The extravagant altarpiece of the Poor Souls Chapel in Trämel depicts the poor souls in the red blazing sea of flames of purgatory, who are to be granted relief through a sacrifice at mass, prayer and the intercession of Our Lady.

It is said that Chaplain Benjamin Bammatter fell into a crevice of the "little glacier" above the Belalp, east of the Hohstock. He promised the Lord God to build a chapel on the Trämel if he was saved. He succeeded in freeing himself. He kept his promise and in 1902 built the Poor Soul Chapel in Trämel, above Hegdorn. The chapel was visited by numerous pilgrims and became a regional place of pilgrimage. For this reason, he had a pilgrims' shelter built below the chapel, where the pilgrims could eat the food they had brought with them.

Who was Chaplain Benjamin Bammatter?

Chaplain Benjamin Bammatter was born in Naters in 1862 and died in Bern in 1924. He had sometimes pretended to be a bishop and a pope. In addition to the Poor Soul Chapel in Trämel, he built the Belalp Café-Restaurant, the Café-Restaurant Post and various houses in Naters and on the Natischerberg.

Opening hours of the Poor Soul Chapel

The chapel is always accessible. During the year, devotions and masses are also held here. Information on this is provided by the parish of Naters-Mund on its website.

Payment Options
  • Entrance Free

Location

Poor Souls Chapel in Trämel
Hegdorn
3904 Naters
Schweiz

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