Kapelle Sontgaclau e Sogn Valentin, Vattiz

Keys available from Silvia Caduff, tel. 0041 81 931 15 61.

This octagonal, detached church with the hexagonal tower, of which almost nothing is known about the history of its construction, immediately catches the eye of every visitor. Fortunately, the tin roof of the dome was replaced by a cover with larch shingles during the last renovation in 1981 by architect Peter Zumthor.

The interior (3) does not have an actual choir. The stucco altar (4) is accentuated by two black columns. The altarpiece depicts the two patron saints of the chapel, Nicholas and Valentine, as bishops. Above them floats the Blessed Mother with her child. Around 1700, an unknown artist painted the Descent from the Cross in the dome (5). The walls with the twelve crosses of the apostles are decorated with life-size figures of the church's patron saints Valentine (6) and Nicholas (7), who carries the three golden balls. Anthony of Padua and an unknown Capuchin friar complete the group. Teasing little angels (8) carry their pedestals.

Text and photos: Walter Müller (wmueller@hispeed.ch) in cooperation with Surselva Tourismus