Neighbourhood

Not only the two castles of Fürstenau in Domleschg bear witness to the architecture and splendour of bygone eras. The sunniest valley in Graubünden is also a valley of castles: the 14-kilometre Domleschg Castle Trail, which leads from Rothenbrunnen to Thusis, passes through eight historic monuments, including Ortenstein Castle in Tomils and Ehrenfels Castle in Sils. However, the most important church in the region is the Romanesque Saalkirche St. Martin in Zillis, first mentioned in a document in 831. With its 153 square panels and the church ceiling completed between 1109 and 1114, it houses one of the very rare, almost completely preserved works of art of the High Romanic period.

Between Zillis and Thusis the Hinterrhein has dug its way deep into the rock and formed a gorge with rock walls up to 300 metres high: the Viamala. Once an important but feared passage as a link to the Splügenpass and San Bernardino, the gorge is one of Graubünden's biggest tourist attractions. Today, two modern bridges allow visitors to pass the Viamala comfortably and safely by foot.

Those who follow the Hinterrhein and later the Alpenrhein downstream will reach Chur. The oldest town in Switzerland has one of the most interesting old towns in the country - with the Church of St. Martin dating from the 8th century as its highlight. The bishop's palace and St. Mary's Assumption Cathedral are enthroned above the town. The Chur weekly market - which takes place between May and October on Saturday mornings - is the only pure producer market in Switzerland and offers an exceptional range of first-class Bündner products.

St. Moritz, the iconic cradle of winter tourism and twice the venue of the Olympic Winter Games, can be easily reached by train from Thusis. The Albula Line, opened in 1903, overcomes around 1000 metres in altitude on a one-and-a-half-hour journey thanks to spectacular viaducts and helical tunnels. The 65 metre high and 136 metre long Landwasser viaduct is probably the most impressive structure on the route and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Once you arrive in the Engadine, you don't have to go far to the Zernez National Park. The Unesco Biosphere Reserve is home to chamois and marmots, with an area of 170 square kilometres and 80 kilometres of hiking trails.

The one-hour trip to Bad Ragaz is worthwhile for sports and wellness enthusiasts. Its attractions include the Taminatherme, an 18-hole championship golf course and the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz with its historic Quellenhof. Of course, you can also stay very close to Fürstenau, take a hike on the Piz Beverin or take a stroll through the vineyards of the Bündner Herrschaft. You won't get bored here so quickly. Promised.

You can find our suggestions here.