From Tramin to Kurtatsch

The hike starts at the village square of Tramin. We walk towards the church, pass it on the left (signpost "Kastelazweg") and turn right at the apartment house Überbacherhof into the vineyards. Between the rows of vines we walk steeply on the paved path towards the little hill church of St. Jakob in Kastelaz (15 minutes walking time), we are on the old church path. A visit to the Romanesque church of St. James on the Kastelaz hill with its famous frescoes is definitely worthwhile.

 Shortly after the little church, we leave the wide village road and follow a path (sign "Kastelazpromenade") through a bushy forest, which circles the hill on the north side, heading towards the mountain flank and leading to a wide forest path.

The path runs as "Kastelazweg" on a slight incline through sparse deciduous forest to the south. Along the path we find a fountain and resting benches. Shortly before the neighboring village of Kurtatsch, the path lowers, enters the vineyards and goes along the Schießstandweg, the Rungger- and the Obergasse towards the village square. After a tour of the village center and a stop for refreshments, we return to Runggergasse and take the asphalt path (signposted "Tramin") that leads back to Tramin through beautiful vineyards. Along the way we pass the village of Rungg and finally reach the village square of Tramin again.

St. Jakob in Kastelaz

Art lovers should not miss the opportunity to visit the famous frescoes with the bestiaries in the little church of St. Jakob in Kastelaz. The small church on the exposed hill a little above the village is the most important sight of Tramin and one of the most famous in the whole country. A Romanesque fresco cycle from around 1220 is preserved inside. The paintings depict strange mixed creatures of man and beast: fish and bird men fighting with each other, a centaur, a dog-headed man, a shadow-footed man and other creatures born of the medieval imagination. Jokingly, one of the creatures is called the "Wadbiter" by the locals. They represent chaos in contrast to the divine order.

Foto: Tramin Marketing