Rhäzüns

Cross-country skiing trails and wonderful cycling or hiking routes along the Rhine on the valley floor or up to the "Crest'Ault", the local mountain of Rhäzüns, attract many people from near and far, all year round. With the sports comply "Saulzas" the community owns a widely known and beautiful facility with a football pitch, a training pitch, four running tracks and a hard pitch. There are also three tennis courts and two boccia courts. The cableway takes you across the Rhine gorge up to Feldis, an idyllic little village on the mountain. This is the start for many great hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails, among them a tour to Dreibündenstein and to Brambrüesch. From there you can take another cableway down to Chur, where you can get the train or bus to return to Rhäzüns.

History

In the Middle Ages, Rhäzüns was part of the dominion of the Barons of Rhäzüns, along with its neighbouring villages Bonaduz, Domat/Ems and Felsberg. Through inheritance and trade the area came into possession of king Maximilian I of Austria and thus of the Habsburg family. Therefore, the village remained catholic during the Reformation. Until 1529, Rhäzüns was a single religious, political and economic community with neighbouring Bonaduz. Their parishes were not separated until 1667. In 1815/19, the area of the former dominion Rhäzüns became part of the canton of Graubünden. 

The church S. Gieri/St. George between Bonaduz and Rhäzüns used to be the main church of the Rhäzüns territory and has great cultural and historical significance. According to excavations the first church at this site dates back to the 6th or 7th century. Around the middle of the 14th century a new choir was built and soon after the interior was lavishly decorated with magnificent paintings. Patrons were the barons of Rhäzüns. The frescoes in the choir from the early 14th century, the choir wall (showing the legend of St. George),  the impressive dragon fight and a donor portrait along the northern wall are by the famous "Master of Waltensburg". The Old and New Testament scenes as well as the hagiographies in the church nave were completed by the "Master of Rhäzüns" in fresco-secco style in the latter half of the 14th century. Until 1667, Sogn Paul was the parish church of Bonaduz and Rhäzüns. You can find more information about these historical buildings as well as the opening times of both Sogn Gieri and Sogn Paul on the website of the parish of Rhäzüns.

Although Rhäzüns was traditionally part of the Romansh-speaking area in Graubünden, only 10% of the population still speak the language according to the 2000 census. 

Rheinauen

The "Rheinauen" of Rhäzüns are one of the last natural river landscapes along the Rhine before it flows into Lake Constance. The pasture landscape is one of the most pristine of its kind in all of Switzerland. Between the towns of Rothenbrunnen and Reichenau, the Rhine is allowed to flow however it pleases. Every flood changed the course of the river, moving the earth with it and creating new islets and meanders. The pastures and floodplains lie where water transitions to land. Here you will find sandy banks, clear groundwater ponds, pebble beaches and thick forests. There is an incredible diversity of plants and animal wildlife for the small size of the area.

Nature reserve Weihermühle

Almost its own little oasis, the mill of Weihermühle is powered by spring water. The abundance of water and constant care have created a true gem of nature all around the mill. The shallow moor of Weihermühle is classified as being of national importance. It is home to a number of rare species like the dormouse, numerous orchids and sundew, a local carnivorous plant. It's thanks to the efforts of Natura Graubünden and the former Natural Protection Society Graubünden that Weihermühle has been listed as a natural reserve since 1967. The first plots of land were purchased by the Natural Protection Society even in 1961. Today, about 9 acres are in possession of Pro Natura.

Rhäzünser mineral water

Rhäzüns is renowned for its mineral springs that have been known to man since the late 18th century and exploited since 1850. The mineralisation of the water is rich and well-balanced. The spring lies along the left Rhine bank, close to the so-called Rhäzüns rock at the foot of Heinzenberg mountain. The spring lies at a depth of 50 metres and the water has spent 18 years in the rock before it reaches the surface in Rhäzüns. 1998, the mineral spring was taken over by the Feldschlösschen group, and five years later the output reached 100 million litres for the first time. The company invested 14 million Swiss Francs in new bottling facilities. More information at www.rhaezuenser.ch.