Saint Ursinus and the bear
Time seems to stand still in this wonderful landscape on the banks of the Doubs with the towering cliff and the ruined castle above the small, medieval town of Saint-Ursanne. It was the Irish wandering monk Ursicinus who, according to tradition, settled here with a bear in a rock grotto around the year 600. At the turn of the 7th century, numerous Irish monks flocked from Luxeuil, led by St. Columban, to preach the gospel to the Alemanni.
Towards the end of the 12th century, the construction of the collegiate church, a pillared basilica, began on the foundations of an older church. The old church has been preserved to our days around which a small town has gradually developed. The south portal, the most important Romanesque portal of Burgundian style in Switzerland, shows a majestic image of Christ on the tympanum, surrounded by the apostles Peter and Paul and seven angels. At his feet a tonsured figure kneels to the left, perhaps St. Ursinus or the founder of the portal. The evangelist symbols and legendary representations are on the capitals.
In addition to St. Germanus and St. Randoaldus, Ursinus is the third saint of the Jura. A short walk in Saint-Ursanne leads to his cave, where you can meet him and his bear in person. A bench in front invites you to enjoy the wonderful view far into the country, and if you like, you can continue along the
