Editing Columbanus (section)

===The Alps (611–612)===
Columbanus arrived at Theudebert II's court in [[Metz]] in 611, where members of the Luxeuil school met him and Theudebert II granted them land at [[Bregenz]].<ref name=":0" /> They travelled up the [[Rhine]] via [[Mainz]] to the lands of the [[Suebi]] and [[Alemanni]] in the northern Alps, intending to preach the Gospel to these people. He followed the Rhine river and its tributaries, the [[Aar]] and the [[Limmat]], and then on to [[Lake Zurich]]. Columbanus chose the village of [[Tuggen]] as his initial community, but the work was not successful.<ref name="edmonds"/> He continued north-east by way of Arbon to [[Bregenz]] on [[Lake Constance]]. Here he found an [[Oratory (worship)|oratory]] dedicated to [[Aurelia of Strasbourg]] containing three brass images of their tutelary deities. Columbanus commanded [[Saint Gall|Gallus]], who knew the local language, to preach to the inhabitants, and many were converted. The three brass images were destroyed, and Columbanus blessed the little church, placing the relics of Aurelia beneath the altar. A monastery was erected, [[Wettingen-Mehrerau Abbey|Mehrerau Abbey]], and the brethren observed their regular life. Columbanus stayed in Bregenz for about one year.<ref name="edmonds"/>

In the spring of 612, war broke out between Austrasia and Burgundy and Theudebert II was resoundingly beaten by Theuderic II. Austrasia was subsumed under the kingdom of Burgundy and Columbanus was again vulnerable to Theuderic II's opprobrium.<ref name=":1" /> When Columbanus' students began to be murdered in the woods, Columbanus decided to cross the Alps into Lombardy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbanus |website=Monastic Ireland |url=http://www.monasticireland.com/storiesofsaints/columbanus.htm |access-date=2022-08-08}}</ref>

Gallus remained in this area until his death in 646. About seventy years later at the place of Gallus' cell the [[Abbey of St Gall|Abbey of Saint Gall]] was founded. The city of [[St. Gallen]] originated as an adjoining settlement of the abbey.