Reformierte Kirche Scuol

The Reformed Church (San Geer) in Scuol is a late Gothic church on the Munt Baselgia hill, above the old quarter of Scuol in the Lower Engadine, canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It is listed in the Swiss federal inventory of cultural property of national significance (KGS no. 3248) and counts among the town's most important landmarks.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The church stands on Chant Baselgia street, at roughly 46.795 N, 10.299 E, overlooking the village houses. From the centre it is a short uphill walk of a few minutes along lanes lined with sgraffito-decorated facades. Scuol-Tarasp has a Rhaetian Railway station and local buses serve the centre, so you can reach it without a car.

What is the history of the church?

People settled the church hill long before the building existed: excavations in 1965-1968 uncovered Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement remains. The village itself first appears in records around 1095 as Schulles. The present church was built in 1516 by the master builder Bernhard of Poschiavo and consecrated that same year. The tower was raised in 1562. The Reformation reached Scuol in 1530, so the building has served a Protestant congregation for nearly five centuries. In 1679 the first Romansh Bible in the Vallader idiom was printed in the village by Jachen Dorta.

What will you see?

The church is a fine example of late Gothic architecture in Graubünden: a plain nave with a tall tower rising above the rooftops. Inside is an organ dating from 1792. The building was renovated in 1933 and thoroughly restored in 1970-1972. The terrace in front gives wide views over the Inn valley and the surrounding Engadine mountains.

When should you visit?

The hill is accessible all year. In summer it is a natural stop on a walk through the old town; in winter it pairs well with a day on the slopes or at the Bogn Engiadina spa. The interior can be closed outside services and events, so check opening times with the Scuol tourist office if you want to go in.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Scuol a listed monument?

Yes. It is in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national significance as KGS no. 3248.

When was the present building constructed?

In 1516, in late Gothic style. The tower was heightened in 1562.

What language is spoken in Scuol?

Romansh in the Vallader variety is widely spoken alongside German. The first Bible in that idiom was printed in Scuol in 1679.

Is there an entrance fee?

Walking up the hill and viewing the exterior is free.