Bad Reichenhall - St. Zeno

A legend tells, that Charlemagne personally founded a first monastery here, but there are so many places, who claim that. A small monastery existed here within the 9th century. As it was built close to the river Saalach, it was dedicated Saint Zeno, an early Christian Bishop of Verona and a patron saint against floods.

In 1136 Konrad I von Abensberg, Archbishop of Salzburg, established Augustinian Canons here, well equipped with income from the salt (= hall) that was produced here.
The construction of the three-nave-basilica took 80 years, it got consecrated in 1228. With a length of 80 meters, this was a huge structure. The church burnt down in 1512. When it got rebuilt, many Gothic elements were added (vaulting). Ano
ther fire destroyed great part in 1789, just before the monastery got secularized in 1803. Since then this is a parish church.

There is an important cloister here, that even has a carving depicting Frederick I (Barbarossa). If you plan to visit Bad Reichenhall, inquire at the Tourist Office about it the opening hours. As the cloister now is part of a school, it is open for tourists only once or twice a week for an hour or two. I could not wait that long..

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The western portal from 1228 fortunately survived all fires and modernisations. Protected by a narthex, it is still on place and only little damaged (by lightning- not by vandals).

Two carved reliefs, that have never been part of the portal can be found inside the narthex. They are pre-Romanesque and older than the church itself. It may be, that they come from the monastery, that was here, before the Canons moved in here (1136). One of the reliefs depicts God with Adam and Eve. This is the other one.

Following Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") this is a "saved soul" in the center flanked by a guardian angel (left) and a lion (right). Giant hands tear the lions mouth apart. Reminds on Samson.