Felsberg is barely touched by tourism, if at all. But it is a first-choice address for tours. From Chur, the route along Calanda mountain is a gateway from every cycling or inline-skating tour worth its name. There is an almost endless choice of routes for runners. Once you have made your way up to Alp Felsberg, you can call yourself a distinguished mountain biker. Wait for your heart rate to drop to a regular level and then lift your gaze across Chur and the Rhine and Schanfigg valleys. Test your endurance and continue the ascent up to Goldgruben.

But you can also take it easy. The hiking route along the Rhine joins with mountain hiking trails leading up through forests and meadows. The panorama trail across the military training area Rossboden is a great route for hikers and bikers alike. It is open on weekends for civilians en route to Haldenstein.

History

This area has been settles as early as the Neolithic era - proof for the fact that life has always been good here. The findings suggest that the area between the river Rhine and Calanda mountain was settled as far back as 2000 BCE. Perhaps even earlier than that, as some individual artefacts date back as far as the 7th century BCE.

Other than its neighbouring villages Domat/Ems and Chur, the community of Felsberg switched from Romansh to German fairly soon. The settlement that is mentioned in Romansh as "Villa Fagonio" in documents from the year 840 resurfaces in a document from 1290 under the German name "Veltsperch".

The village was first under rule of the Lords of Frauenberg who owned a castle in Felsberg. Unfortunately, nothing remains of it today. What was left of its walls was used in construction of bank reinforcements along the Rhine and a school.  From 1368, Felsberg became part of the Rhäzüns dominion. But other than most other parts of the dominion, Felsberg, along with Chur, adopted the Reformation in 1535 and became protestant. Its church is first mentioned in a document from 1305, but the current building was built in the early 16th century in late Gothic style.

Calanda

Calanda mountain has long kept the villagers of Felsberg on their toes with reoccurring rock falls that threatened to demolish the village. After a particularly devastating series of rock falls between 1832 and 1850, almost the entire village needed to be rebuilt some distance further east.

But Calanda mountain also brought treasures in the form of gold.  The local wines "Glockengiesser" and "Goldene Sonne" bear the memory of the 19th century in their names, when gold was extracted from mines that are visible to this day. You can have a look at their yield in the Rhaetian Museum in Chur, where the "Bündner Dublonen" are exhibited, Swiss Franc coins minted in 1813 from Felsberg gold. Due to a lack of sufficient yield, the mines eventually had to be closed around 1900.

Bell foundry

From 1817 to 1910, there was a bell foundry in Felsberg which produced more than 220 bells, among them the bell of the church St. Martin in Chur. There is also an organ manufactory in Felsberg that has been operating since 1898. Felsberg today has a population of some 2000, about 70% of which are employed elsewhere in places like Ems Chemie or in Chur.

Famous politicians

Felsberg is proud to have produced two important politicians, both stemming from the same family: Leon Schlumpf was born in 1925 and was member of the Federal Council from 1979 to 1987, and his daughter Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, born 1956, who was herself a Federal Council from 2007 until 2015.

 Spacious playground with fireplace, table and benches. 

Directions:

City bus line 1 to Domat/Ems, get off at stop Plarenga. Walk back to the roundabout and turn south towards the forest (5 minutes).

Directions by bicycle: From Chur via Rossboden - cross Rhine bridge towards Felsberg - back across the Rhine and the motorway, turn right straight after the bridge. Follow the dirt road to Domat/Ems. Turn left as you get to the village.

Directions by car: On the main road from Chur to Domat/Ems - turn left at the first roundabout in the village. Parking available.

The little field chapel Sogn Mang was built on a hill near Bonaduz and restored in 1993. It is dedicated to Saint Magnus (Sogn Mang in Romansh). Its unique location on a wide-open field under two mighty poplar trees gives it a wonderful aura of peace and strength.

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Reichenau castle lies at the birthplace of the Alpine Rhine, where the two arms of the Rhine join together. Built in the 16th century by the clergy family Schauenstein, the castle looks back on a long and eventful history. At one time it even housed the last King of France.

Today, the historic building serves as a winery for the Tscharner family. Visit and meet wine producer Gian Battista von Tscharner and his smooth, honest wines during a castle tour with wine tasting.

Bonaduz' leisure offerings are varied and appeal to big and small, families, locals and visitors alike. Well maintained hiking and cycling trails take you into the charming surroundings - whether that's up on the mountains or down into the fascinating Rhine gorge, from Bonaduz the spellbinding nature of Graubünden is only a stone's throw away.

In Bonaduz proper, there are several fun things to do, like a minigolf course, football pitches, tennis courts, cross-country ski trails and woodchip running trails. The golf course Domat/Ems and the fashionable ski resort Laax are close by, too.

History

Archaeological finds from the late La Tène era (5th - 1st century BCE) and an early medieval burial site with more than 700 graves in Valbeuna are evidence for the fact that this has been settled for a long time. The Wackenau castle ruin lies high above the Rhine, not far from the village. It was probably constructed to secure a nearby river crossing. Bonaduz was part of the Rhäzüns dominion and came into possession of Maximilian I of Austria and Habsburg  in 1497. During the reformation, Bonaduz remained Catholic and formed a clerical, political and economic entity with neighbouring Rhäzüns in 1529.  The church was not separated until 1667.

In the middle of the 16th century, Bonaduz purchased Alp Ramuz on the far side of the Kunkels pass. Livestock and grain farming were the cornerstones of the community for most of its existence. Today, many inhabitants of Bonaduz are employed at Ems-Chemie in Domat/Ems, others  commute to Chur.

Bonaduz was originally part of the Romansh language area. In 1860, nearly 70% of the population were still Romansh-speaking. But during the years of reconstruction following a great fire in 1908, more and more German speakers moved into the area, and they made up 80% of the population in 1990 while Romansh speakers had dwindled to only 6%.

Church S. Gieri/St. George

Church S. Gieri/St. George between Bonaduz and Rhäzüns used to be the main church of the Rhäzüns dominion and has exceptional cultural value today. 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 og St. George),  the impressive dragon fight and a donor portrait along the northern wall are by the famous "Master of Waltensburg". The scenes from the Old and New Testaments as well as the hagiographies in the rest of the nave were added in the second half of the 14th century by the "Master of Rhäzüns" in fresco secco style.

Rhine gorge

Close to Bonaduz lies the fascinating Rhine gorge Ruinaulta. It is one of the greatest and most diverse landscapes of the Alps. A wild gorge with a raging river, white cliffs and vast forests. Quiet lakes are filled as if by magic and rare birds breed in the forests along the river. You can even find orchids in the little garden of Eden.

You can explore Ruinalta perfectly well on your own. In the forests and along the Rhine you will find a dense network of hiking trails, various cycling routes and beautiful rest areas. There are three train stations of the Rhaetian Railway (Trin, Versam-Safien and Valendas-Sagogn) at either end and in the middle of the gorge.

If you want to get to know the Rhine gorge from up close, you can even take to the water. Ruinalta is one of Europe's most exciting waterbodies for canoeing, kayaking and river rafting.

Nature reserve Weihermühle

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, the plot is in possession of Pro Natura, having grown to a size of nearly 9 acres.

The Church of S. Gieri / St. Georg between Bonaduz and Rhazuns was probably the old parish church of both places and is a very special treasure. The oldest building is according to archaeological finds from the 6/7 Century date. In the second Quarter of the 14th Century brought a new choir, and then the interior was equipped with magnificent paintings. Clients were probably the Barons of Rhazuns. A first unknown artist took over the decoration of the chancel, the east wall (it shows the legend of St. George), and a dragon fight and a donor picture on the long north side. From a second, also not particularly well-known artist, the remaining north wall were the West and south walls provided with scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as with painted saints stories. For more information about these historic buildings can be found on the website of the parish Rhazuns.

The Fürstenwald forest extends along the North East of the urban area; it is a popular recreational area with beautiful views of the city and the Calanda. Many paths lead through the mixed forest, making it an inviting place to go walking, hiking, jogging, or biking. A true paradise for anyone who wants to relax far from the bustle of the city or to get active!
The fastest way to Fürstenwald: by public bus no. 2 «Fürstenwald» from Bahnhofplatz in Chur or by car to the Fürstenwald cemetery car park.

The Haldenstein playground lies just along the walking and cycling route Chur-Haldenstein (Rhine cycle route no. 2), along the river Rhine. Its location and the integrated barbecue make it the perfect destination for a family outing. There is a lot of shade thanks to the many trees. 

Picturesque and medieval - that is how the Arcas looks today. Before 1971, however, it was quite a different story, for until then warehouses obscured the square. Architect Theodor Hartmann had these demolished and integrated an underground garage into his new design concept. Nevertheless, the Arcas has still retained its medieval character, for the row of houses extending towards the Plessur river are built onto the old city walls. And these - as can be seen at Arcas 25 - are thought to date from the 13th century. Nowadays, the medieval houses, with the modern open spaces in between, give the square a picturesque touch.

The Arcas is arguably the most beautiful city square in Chur. With its historical town houses and cafes surrounding the open space, it exudes an almost Mediterranean ambiance. During events, the Arcas becomes a picturesque stage in the heart of the Old Town. Of course, there is also a well where you can refresh yourself. The well on Arcas square is made of Gneis rock from the village of Andeer. It is based on the myth about the spirits on Scalära.