Kirche St. Martin, Zillis
Kirche St. Martin
Kirche St. Martin
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
7 within 3 miles
Restaurant Muntsulej
14
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Central European
Camping und Restaurant Rania
5
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean
Restaurant Caltgera
26
1.5 miSwiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Capricorns Restaurant
35
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurant Fravi
67
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurant Weisses Kreuz
37
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Diner
Cafe Conditorei & Geschenksboutique Iselin
1
2.2 mi
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
44 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Marconiada
London, UK78 contributions
Friends
The wooden ceiling of St Martin Church in Zillis, painted at the beginning of the XII century, is one of the remaining three in Europe of that period and a masterpiece of Medieval painting. If you think that it was made over one century before Giotto and Cimabue and the place is in the middle of steep mountains at the end of the dark and narrow Via Mala, rather than in the Florence of the Renaissance, the result is stunning. The 153 painted panels, about 1x1m each, represent religious themes (the central panel in the middle Christ tempted by the Devil in the Desert) about the life of Jesus, surrounded by marine monsters and give an idea of the vision of the world of that time. An absolute masterpiece that you should not miss. Easy to reach just 1km off the motorway leading to the St Bernardino pass from the Graubunden area. The local Post Office cast as a local museum with video projections and the sale of booklets. The church has a nice external fresque of St Christopher, protector of the travellers of the XV century. Zillis village around XV to XVIII century is tiny and tidy and provides refreshments. There is a nice restaurant close to the Post Office. The mountains around with green slopes are beautiful in a sunny day. A must go if you are in the area
Written September 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HansM
Zurich, Switzerland567 contributions
Family
A hidden gem in a remote valley which is still not off the beaten path and easy to reach. Combine it with a mountain hike in fall.
Written December 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kart U
Tallinn84 contributions
Couples
We visited the church in a wrong order which means that we first went to the church and then visited the exhibition. The exhibition is located at the bus station and explains the church and its ceiling paintings. Unfortunately the movie is only in German and Italian. There is some information in English but not too much so it's helpful to have someone German or Italian speaking together with you. The church itself is small but the ceiling really is a must-see. It definitely is unique and is kind of like medieval comic book.
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Russell V
Hobart, Australia52 contributions
Solo
Unfortunately the lady at the front couldn't speak English so I had to guess what was going on. The church is only small, but the interior roof is painted with impressive detail. There are hand mirrors inside, which I assumed was to examine the roof without bending your neck. I was only there for 10 mins. Cost 5 CHF but I reckon it should be free like many of the other churches throughout Europe.
Written June 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert S
Milton, PA3 contributions
Couples
We took a short detour in working our way west from Switzerland to Austria, having learned of St. Martin’s. It was as amazing as promised, a very simple and otherwise unadorned Church building highlighted by the ceiling of painted tiles! And to think that they are dated to perhaps the 12th Century! It was a stop that we were glad to have made. Time definitely worth spending!
Written September 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zurichhiker
Zurich158 contributions
Family
Even being arae, that already the Romans travelled along this valley, seeing the Church of Zillis from outside one would never expect these brilliant 900 year old paintings on the wooden roof.
Written January 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Giorgio B
Arona, Italy42 contributions
The church is situated close to the village and on "via Mala" in the Grigioni area. When you will enter be aware you are visiting a surprising church. You can complete the visit going to the museum that is very near and where you can assist to a short documentary on the artistic decoration, you saw inside and outside the St Martin church and on "via Mala"
Written October 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
t0mezm
Sydney, Australia7 contributions
I love visiting churches! This painted ceiling is simply the most humble, colourful, entertaining series of painted panels I have yet seen. the church is in a very modest village, extremely modest grounds, and a usual white exterior, inside though it is a beautiful wooden interior and a magnificent ceiling! Well worth a few hours observing if you have the time, but also worth the ten minute viewing if you are not into detail!
Written August 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mum47
Schwyz, Switzerland8,059 contributions
To look at the pictures on the ceiling you better take a mirror, otherwise you will have a stiff neck. It is the only church having such a rich painted wooden ceiling
Written July 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kirche St. Martin
- Kirche St. Martin is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Hotels near Kirche St. Martin:
- (0.06 mi) Gasthaus Pro L'Ava
- (0.19 mi) Alte Post Gasthaus
- (0.20 mi) Ferienwohnung Tga da Plaz in Zillis - 7 Personen, 2 Schlafzimmer
- (1.22 mi) Pensiun Laresch
- (0.12 mi) Beautiful apartment for 7 guests with WIFI, TV, balcony and parking
- Restaurants near Kirche St. Martin:
- (6.08 mi) Schloss Schauenstein Restaurant
- (8.70 mi) Restaurant La Riva
- (8.45 mi) La Vatga
- (8.43 mi) La Patata
- (1.18 mi) Restaurant Muntsulej