Kirchenruine San Gaudenzio

Kirchenruine San Gaudenzio is the roofless remnant of a medieval pilgrimage church on a slope above Casaccia, in the Bregaglia municipality near Maloja (canton of Graubünden, Switzerland). Standing inside the walls, you look straight up at the sky. The site is free to visit.

What is this place?

The ruin sits in the upper Val Bregaglia, just beyond Maloja, where the road to the Septimer Pass branches off. For centuries Casaccia served travellers crossing the Alps, and the church stood on one of the routes used by pilgrims.

The earliest records go back to the 9th century. Graubünden tourism pages cite the year 831, while the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (HLS) lists the church around 840 as property of Pfäfers Abbey. The present building dates from 1518, in late Gothic style, raised on the remains of earlier structures.

Why is it a ruin?

During the Reformation in 1551, local people desecrated the church. Images and relics were destroyed, some of them thrown into the Orlegna stream. The building still served as a burial church until 1738, and after that it was left to decay.

Who was Saint Gaudenzio?

Local tradition says Gaudenzio came to the Bregaglia in the 4th century and was beheaded in a pine wood near Casaccia. He is said to have walked some 180 metres carrying his head to the spot where the church now stands. In 1518, the year the current church was built, he became patron saint of the League of God's House, one of the three leagues of the old Republic of Three Leagues.

How do you get there?

Reach Casaccia by road from Maloja or Vicosoprano, then climb the short path up the slope from the village. The ruin also lies on stage one of the Via Bregaglia trail (Maloja to Vicosoprano). The road section near San Gaudenzio was closed with a detour in the 2025 season, so check current conditions with the regional tourist office before you go.

What will you see?

• nave walls with window openings and a doorway, open to the sky,
• views across the valley to the surrounding peaks,
• a quiet, little-visited spot that suits a short stop on a hike.

When to visit

Late spring to autumn is the easiest time, when the slopes are clear of snow. In winter the approach can be snowy, and the high valley turns cold quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, the ruin is free to visit at any time of day.

Can you go inside? Yes, the walls are accessible, but with no roof the weather affects how pleasant a visit is.

How long does a visit take? The ruin itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes, a little longer including the walk up from Casaccia.

Is it close to Maloja? Yes, Casaccia lies a few kilometres from Maloja in the upper valley, so San Gaudenzio combines easily with a walk along this stretch of the Val Bregaglia.