According to legend – and quite possible factually correct too – the monastery of St John in Müstair was founded by Charlemagne. He is honoured by this statue between the central and southern apse in the front of the Carolingian church.
The exact age of the stucco statue is not known but it predates 1165, the year Charlemagne was elevated to sainthood by an antipope supported by the Holy Roman Emperor. It is considered one of the oldest monumental statues of Charlemagne in existence.