The Fountain of the Knights of St John

The Knights of St John, or Knights of Malta, were active in Salgesch from the early 13th century until 1655.

The Knights of St John, or Knights of Malta, were active in Salgesch from the early 13th century until 1655. The hospital of the Knights of St John in Salgesch, the Order’s main headquarters in Valais, was under the authority of the Commandery of Conflans in Savoy.

In their hospice, members of the Order provided free accommodation and medical care to passing travellers and pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. In addition to this charitable work, the Knights of St John were also involved in pastoral care in Salgesch and the surrounding area. St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Order, is also the patron saint of the parish church in Salgesch. The Order’s coat of arms, the eight-pointed cross (Maltese cross), adorns the municipality’s coat of arms.
In memory of the charitable work carried out by the Johannites in Salgesch, the ‘Johanniterbund’ association and foundation, in line with their aim of preserving the historical heritage and revitalising the village, had this fountain erected in the year of grace 1995.