Crap Sogn Parcazi

Crap Sogn Parcazi is a ruined castle and fortified church standing above the village of Trin in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The complex is also known as Hohentrins, and the name Sogn Parcazi refers to St. Pancras, the saint of the church.

Where is Crap Sogn Parcazi?

The ruins sit on a rocky hill above Trin, in the Romansh-speaking part of Graubünden, at roughly 46.829 N, 9.350 E. For a visitor it makes a short outing with views over the Rhine valley and the surrounding peaks, combined with a look at medieval walls.

What is the history of the castle and church?

The earliest chapter is partly a puzzle. Regional chronicles credit Pepin, father of Charlemagne, with the foundation, but historians do not accept this tradition. Some accounts date a refuge church to around 750 and call it the first parish church for nearby villages including Tamins and Trin. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland is cautious about early Merovingian or Carolingian dates for the church.

In the ninth or tenth century the lands around Trin, Tamins and Reichenau formed the lordship of Hohentrins, granted to Reichenau Abbey. The first residential building of the castle went up in the 11th or 12th century, and construction continued into the 15th. The tower is dated to the 12th century and the palace to around 1300. The castle was inhabited until the 15th century.

What happened to the castle?

A fire at the fortress is recorded in 1470. According to the literature, the lords' seat then moved to nearby Canaschal Castle or to Reichenau. The complex slowly fell into ruin, and today walls and the foundations of the church and its buildings remain.

Archaeological research

Excavations between 1931 and 1936 revealed the layout of the whole site. Many questions remain open, especially about the earliest phases of use on the hill. Cantonal archaeological records point to prehistoric and Roman activity at the location.

What to know before you visit

• This is a ruin, so expect walls and foundations rather than furnished interiors.
• The hill rises above the village, so plan for an uphill walk and sturdy shoes.
• Choose clear weather to enjoy the view of the valley and mountains.
• The site combines easily with a walk around Trin and visits to other castles in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Is Crap Sogn Parcazi a castle or a church? Both: it is the ruin of a castle and a fortified church standing side by side on one hill.

Who owned the castle? The lordship of Hohentrins was granted to Reichenau Abbey; according to the literature the castle was built by the Lords of Sagogn-Wildenberg.

When did the castle burn? A fire at the fortress is recorded in 1470, after which the seat of the lords was, according to the literature, relocated.

Is it an important monument? Yes, it is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.