Zillis is a linear village at the southern end of the Viamala Gorge, east of the Hinterrhein. The village belongs to the Schams in the Viamala region and lies in the Hinterrhein Valley. Its position on the western slope of Curvér Pintg da Taspegn is also part of its geographical setting; the mountain’s elevation is given as 2,731 metres. These are different aspects of its location: the village’s position on the slope, its location at the end of the gorge and its regional affiliation.
Getting here and routes around Zillis
Zillis can be reached by PostBus. As services follow a timetable and may be subject to change, check the current SBB/PostBus timetable before travelling. The hiking trails between the Viamala Visitor Centre, Reischen and Zillis are designated as regional hiking route no. 50 and signposted with brown ViaSpluga trail markers. Check trail conditions before setting out. Zillis is also the destination of the Veia Traversina route.
There is a free public car park directly opposite the Nislas barbecue area in Zillis-Reischen. Check the current parking regulations before travelling. The Viamala road across the Alps is a historical link to the region: it opened in 1473. Its opening led to increased traffic towards the SplĂĽgen and San Bernardino passes.
St. Martin’s Church and its painted panels
St. Martin’s parish church was first mentioned around 840. A Carolingian apse structure is incorporated into an earlier building; this integration is considered a special feature in Graubünden. The ceiling consists of 153 square painted panels. Panels along the edges depict mythical creatures and scenes from the story of Jonah.
An exhibition about the church uses texts, models and a multimedia presentation to explain the medieval world view, the working methods of a painter of the time, the construction of the wooden ceiling and how the age of the panels was determined. The imagery, construction method and creation of the wooden panels thus offer different ways of exploring the subject.
Museum and other cultural highlights
The Tgea da Schons Valley Museum is housed in a farmhouse dating from 1580, typical of central Graubünden. It showcases rural domestic life and pre-industrial crafts in the Schams Valley. The museum also documents how people in the Schams used to live and work. In this way, the historic house type is brought together with a presentation of regional ways of life and work. The focus is therefore on everyday life in the valley, while the exhibition at St. Martin’s explores the church, its painted panels and how they were created.
The s-cultura.ch exhibition in Zillis-Reischen preserves decommissioned mill machinery as cultural artefacts representing fascinating industrial design. As visiting arrangements may change, check the current visitor information in advance.
The excursion to the silver mines on Alp Taspegn includes transport by Land Rover and a guided tour through former ore and silver mines. Check dates and reservation options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Sils im Domleschg, Portein, Donath, Rothenbrunnen, Avers, FardĂĽn, Tschappina, Trans.
For the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.
