Saint Martin's Church

Saint Martin's Church is a Romanesque building in this Swiss village with thick walls, high small windows on the sides, and a choir at the eastern end. The interior is defined by a flat wooden ceiling that is entirely covered with tiny painted pictures.

A religious building stood on this site as early as the 5th century, and in 940 King Otto I transferred the church to the Bishop of Chur. The painted ceiling was created later in the 12th century and has remained intact since then.

The wooden ceiling displays 153 painted panels from the 12th century showing biblical scenes, stories of Saint Martin, and fantastic creatures that have made this place special for the community. Locals value these artworks as a treasure of their church.

The interior can be visited daily, and the best view of the ceiling paintings comes with good daylight. Comfortable shoes are helpful since you should take time to observe the small details.

The outer rings of the ceiling display 48 panels with mythical creatures that blend land and sea animals, creating fantastic shapes. In the corners are angels that represent the different wind directions.

Location: Zillis-Reischen

Location: Canton of the Grisons

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Part of: list of cultural properties in Zillis-Reischen

Website: https://zillis-st-martin.ch

GPS coordinates: 46.63420,9.44167

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04