Sankt Martin is a typical Walser farming settlement in the Valsertal. St. Martin’s Chapel brings the area’s cultural history into focus; at the same time, the Vals route connects the village with Ilanz, Val Lumnezia and Valsertal. When planning your trip, consider whether you are mainly interested in the history of the settlement and the church, or whether you would also like to include a longer hike in Val Lumnezia.

St. Martin’s Chapel: Art from Several Periods

The present-day St. Martin’s Chapel was consecrated on 30 June 1695. The high altar dates from 1698, and the two side altars were created in 1704. The left altarpiece depicts the Coronation of the Virgin, while the right one shows a Mater Dolorosa. A late Gothic Pietà stands on the north side altar. A row of apostles by Hans Ardüser, dating from 1593, is also preserved on the north nave wall.

The dates establish a chronology of their own: the row of apostles is dated earlier than the consecration of the present-day chapel, while the high altar and side altars date from the years that followed. The subjects of the artworks also offer different points of focus—from the Coronation of the Virgin to the Mater Dolorosa and the Pietà. These specific works and dates provide a concrete basis for exploring the village’s cultural history, rather than relying on a general description of the chapel.

Walser History and Historic Routes

Vals is a Walser German-speaking enclave in the Romansh-speaking Val Lumnezia. The terms highlight different aspects: in Sankt Martin, the focus is on the Walser farming settlement in Valsertal, while in Vals it is on the language geography. From 1669, Tersnaus and Sogn Martin formed a parish of their own—another point of reference in the area’s church history.

Transport routes have also changed over time. Until the connecting road to Ilanz was built in 1879/80, all goods traffic from the Vals area to the south went via the Valserberg to Hinterrhein. This former southern route is part of the valley’s historical context and differs from today’s PostBus route between Ilanz and Vals.

Getting Here and Routes in the Region

The Vals route runs by PostBus from Ilanz through Val Lumnezia into Valsertal and includes Sankt Martin as one of the Walser farming settlements there. The PostBus connects Vals downhill with Ilanz, where regular RhB connections run towards Chur. Check the timetables before travelling to make sure the journey suits your travel date.

If you would like to bring a bicycle, note the seasonal arrangements: during the summer season, PostBus services between Ilanz and Vals operate vehicles with rear-mounted bicycle racks. Bicycle reservations are required. The free Valser hiking bus takes visitors to starting points for hikes and mountain tours by prior arrangement. Confirm that it is available before your trip.

The Senda lumneziana as a Longer Hike

The Senda lumneziana is a 25.7-kilometre hike from Vrin to Ilanz through Val Lumnezia; it lets you walk the entire length of the valley. The trails are considered mostly easy. However, completing the full route is a longer undertaking than a short walk, so the distance is an important consideration when planning your day. Weather, maintenance work and closures can affect trail conditions. Check the current situation before setting out rather than treating the general description as a guarantee of conditions on your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Sagens, Rueun, Castrisch, Flond, Surcuolm, Vals, Vella Gr, Laax

For the overarching travel overview: Surselva.