Rodels can be explored through several specific themes: church and house history, landscape and nature observation. The village has been part of the municipality of Domleschg since 1 January 2015 and lies at an altitude of around 680 metres above sea level. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: historic architecture, a guided activity or nature.
Church architecture and historical layers
The Catholic parish church of St Christopher and St James the Elder has a very slender Romanesque tower with paired round-arched windows. Its elegant onion dome dates from 1725. The ornamental west portal, with its carved door leaves, also has a specific date: it was created in 1721. The tower, dome and portal illustrate different architectural forms and periods.
Remains of wall paintings from the first quarter of the 15th century have been preserved in the church. They were partially uncovered and conserved in the 1970s. The wall paintings therefore date from between the Romanesque tower and the additions of the early 18th century. The religious heritage also includes a chapel mentioned from the mid-12th century; the parish church is mentioned in 1697.
A look inside the von Blumenthal house
The von Blumenthal house offers another architectural point of interest. A wood-panelled room dating from around 1680, with a carved door frame, has been preserved there. Other panelling in the house dates from between 1730 and 1780. The dates can be distinguished: the room with the carved frame is dated to around 1680, while the other panelling mentioned is from later decades. Together with the features of the parish church, this offers a glimpse of different historic building and decorative styles in Rodels.
Tomba, valley floor and nature reserve
The “Tomba” is a boulder around ten metres high on the valley floor, near the Rhine bridge and the A13. The Rhine correction project tells another story of the landscape: the work carried out from 1832 onwards led to land reclamation on the Rodels valley plain. A striking boulder and changes to the valley floor thus represent two different aspects of the landscape.
The Munté nature reserve includes a variety of habitats, from ponds to dry sites. This range offers a specific point of interest for nature lovers. The guided excursion “Following beaver tracks in the Munté nature reserve” starts at Rodels railway station and offers the chance to observe various bird species and animal tracks. Check the available dates and availability in advance.
Walks and practical information
The guided Rodels / Pratval village walk starts at the Rodels, Dorf bus stop. It introduces visitors to the history of the church in Rodels. Another option is the “From the royal estate to greater mouse-eared bats” route: it starts at Rodels RhB station and returns to its starting point via Rodels. The activities differ both in subject and starting point; check the current dates and availability for the village walk and excursion.
Rodels is served by PostBus routes 90.511 and 90.510 between Thusis, Cazis and Tomils. Routes and timetables can change, so check the current timetable before travelling. The Pardisla picnic area is halfway from Rodels village towards Rodels station, at the Forstgarten turn-off. It has a grill grate, firewood, three tables with benches and a drinking-water fountain. As the facilities listed may change, confirm their condition before your visit.
Please note an important access restriction at the Hasensprung ruins: they are not open to the public and can only be reached via private land. For a meal, the Greco restaurant in Gässli serves regional, national and international specialities. Check the current offering before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Tartar, Scharans, Nufenen, Ausserferrera, Rothenbrunnen, Pignia, Sarn, Avers.
View the higher-level travel overview: Hinterrhein.
