Bludesch brings together architectural history and paths that reveal different sides of the village. The churches reflect widely separated periods of construction; Vanovagasse is a historic route leading to Jordan Castle and its associated vineyards. A walking tour brings together sites from the village’s history, while “Stille Laute” combines literature with QR audio. Rasellassee adds opportunities to observe animals and birds to these cultural themes.

Churches and Architectural History

The parish church of St James the Elder in Bludesch was built in 1650/51 by Michael Beer on the foundations of a Gothic church. The church and cemetery are protected monuments. Its architectural history therefore brings together two distinct periods: the Gothic predecessor, whose foundations were reused, and the building from the mid-17th century.

The branch church of St Nicholas in Zitz is one of the oldest churches in Vorarlberg; it was first mentioned in a document in 842. The lower section of its tower is dated to around the 10th century, while the upper section, with Early Gothic pinnacles, dates to the 13th century. Pinnacles are slender, upward-reaching decorative elements; here, they mark the tower’s later construction phase. Comparing it with the parish church reveals two different approaches to architectural history: in Bludesch, through the foundations of a predecessor building; in Zitz, through the dating of the tower sections.

Vanovagasse and the Historic Walking Tour

Vanovagasse is a route from Bludesch to Jordan Castle and its associated vineyards that dates back to the 15th century. Along the lane are historic dry-stone walls, some more than 3.5 metres high. They feature water outlets, stairways, buttresses, niches and arches. Their height and varied construction features break up the masonry and make this historic route interesting for its specific architectural details as well.

The historically described Villa Pludassis walking tour began at Ansitz Unterhalden, the former Krone, and led through the village to St Nicholas Church. From Vanovagasse, it continues to Jordanhof and then towards Gais; the tour ends in the Gais district. Depending on how long you pause to enjoy the cultural sites, it takes around two to three hours. It thus links a series of named stops with an approximate duration that depends on the cultural pause.

Literary Trail and Nature Watching

The international literary walking trail “Stille Laute” in Bludesch offers a different focus. Along the trail, you can read the panels and listen to their texts using a QR code. The meeting point is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the “Bludesch Feuerwehrhaus” and “Bludesch Walgaupark” bus stops. In this way, the trail combines literary texts with practical directions for reaching the meeting point. By comparison, Villa Pludassis focuses on historic stops and an approximate duration.

Rasellassee is a local recreation area where nature lovers can observe wildlife. This includes the migration of toads, frogs and midwife toads to their spawning grounds, as well as the diverse birdlife. This nature-focused experience is clearly distinct from the churches and historic walking tours: the emphasis here is on wildlife watching and amphibian migration. When choosing Bludesch for a trip, you can tailor your focus to architectural history, a historic route, literature or nature watching.

Discover more destinations: Bürserberg, Schruns, Sankt Anton Im Montafon, Partenen, Klösterle, Buchboden, Dalaas, Brand

View the main travel overview: Bludenz.