Description of the attraction
Until the 15th century, Adelboden numbered from 400 to 500 people of the local population and administratively belonged to Frutigen, which lies 4 hours away. All appeals to the higher authorities about building their own church were constantly rejected. As a result, 12 men formed a brigade and, without any permission, built a small village church. According to legend, it happened on a clear winter night, when the snow that fell out painted the outlines of the future structure.
The church was consecrated in the name of St. Anthony. As soon as construction was completed, 56 heads of families living in Adelboden signed a paper in which they pledged to send the bishop a tribute of 40 guilders annually, as a result of which the church received official recognition and the right to exist.
Over the course of time, the church of Adelboden has undergone only minor changes. Today it is adorned with a quadrangular tower with a squat roof, slightly inclined to the south. The church building itself is painted white and the interior is decorated with wood. The brown ceiling is adorned with sinuous red ribbons. The south entrance of the church is decorated with a fresco made by an unknown master in 1471. Three multi-colored windows are considered a special decoration of the interior, symbolizing the night in Gethsemane, when faith (purple), love (red) and hope (green) fall asleep and only the grace of God (blue light) continues to remain with a person.
Initially, there was only one bell in the tower, cast in 1485. In 1963, three more were added to it, and now a real bell chime is heard over Adelboden.
