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About this place
Reformierte Kirche Felsberg is the Protestant parish church of Felsberg, a village in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, on the Rhine valley floor between Chur and Domat/Ems. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in late Gothic church architecture in the Alpine region.
What is the church's history?
The church is first mentioned in 1305, and its dedication to Saint Thomas is recorded from 1481. Until 1526 its parish also covered neighbouring Says. Felsberg turned to the Reformation around 1535, and the building has served a Reformed congregation ever since.
The present church is a late Gothic building from the early 16th century. The Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS) records a longer nave and a new choir in 1504, followed by a westward extension and new windows in 1733. Restorations took place in 1957, in 1980–81 and in 2000–01.
What can you see?
The layout is typical of Graubünden: a very long, low nave, a tall polygonal choir and a tower on the south side. The KGS inventory also highlights a cycle of painted images from around 1408, which it describes as unique in the canton. Opening hours for the interior are limited, so ask the parish before you go.
Why is the village itself interesting?
Felsberg sits below the Calanda massif. Repeated rockfalls between 1832 and 1850 forced residents to move much of the village east, into the area now called Neu-Felsberg. The old church remains in the original settlement. The Theus foundry cast more than 220 bells here between 1817 and 1910, and an organ-building firm has worked in the village since 1898.
How do you get there?
Felsberg lies roughly 7 km west of central Chur. You can reach it by car or regional public transport from Chur. It combines easily with a visit to Chur's old town and a walk along the Rhine.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same Felsberg as the one in Hesse, Germany?
No. This church is in Switzerland, in the canton of Graubünden, in the Imboden region.
When was the church built?
The current building dates from the early 16th century (late Gothic). The earliest written record of the church is from 1305.
What is the most valuable feature inside?
The KGS inventory singles out a painted cycle from about 1408, regarded as unique in Graubünden.
Is it still in use?
Yes, it has served the Reformed congregation since the Reformation in the 16th century.
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