In Trun, art in the landscape, a museum featuring works by local artists and historic buildings sit alongside activities suited to different time budgets. Options range from a short art trail to a hike lasting several hours. When planning your stay, you can choose between local culture, a cycling tour and longer trails.
Art and culture in Trun
SPAZI D’ART MATIAS SPESCHA opened in 2023 and is part of TRUN CULTURA. Another distinctive work of art is the OGNA sculpture: it opened on 4 May 2013 and has been accessible to everyone at any time, without restriction, ever since. Inside, you can view murals and iron sculptures.
The permanent exhibition at the Sursilvan Museum Cuort Ligia Grischa includes original works by artists from Trun: Alois Carigiet, Matias Spescha, Gieri Schmed and Sora Gielia Degonda. The building was constructed in 1679 on behalf of Disentis Abbey and served as the town hall of the Grey League. Here, art and local history come together under one roof.
Buildings and historic traces
The listed former manor house Casa Carigiet dates from 1769. It is being restored in several phases and dedicated to the brothers Alois Carigiet, a painter and children’s book illustrator, and Zarli Carigiet, a cabaret performer and actor. The Catholic parish church of St Martin is a unified Baroque complex; a Romanesque section of its tower reaches halfway up the church roof. The new church was consecrated with five altars on 3 September 1662.
The Friberg castle site is on a long, narrow moraine hill beside the road from Trun to Schlans. The castle ruins contain the foundations of an approximately rectangular tower with sides measuring around 10 by 11 metres. Where measurable, the wall is about 1.8 metres thick. According to a synopsis, in 1249 the administrator Antonius de Carnisio is said to have handed the monastic castle of Friberg over to his brother Lanfrancus. The Chapel of St Valentine near Cartatscha is also in Trun. According to Father Placidus Ă Spescha, it was consecrated on 26 June 1706 by Father Johannes von Castelberg with episcopal authority.
Trails and time required
The 1.5-kilometre-long art trail by the Rhine connects nature and art. In summer, it is open to pedestrians and cyclists; in winter, it can be used by cross-country skiers. Its seasonal activities differ from the Trun valley loop: this moderately difficult 12.2-kilometre cycling route starts at Trun railway station. It returns to Trun along the right bank of the Rhine, initially leaving the village on asphalt and then following an unpaved road; the descent uses a singletrack trail.
The Trun valley loop can be reached by train from Chur via Ilanz or from Sedrun via Disentis. Trun railway station itself is also accessible on the Rhaetian Railway from Chur and Disentis/Mustér. Check the timetable and route conditions before setting off; route details may change.
The Alois Carigiet tour begins with a visit to various works and murals by Alois Carigiet. It combines a 60-minute village walk with a 30-minute museum visit. Check booking options separately. For a longer outing, consider the Alpine Chapel of St Bridget on the Cuolms da Nadels: it lies south of Trun at an elevation of 1,938 metres and can be reached on foot from Trun or Zignau in four to five hours. These times highlight the difference between the tour with its village walk and museum visit and the several-hour hike to the chapel.
Discover more destinations: Flond, Andiast, Schluein, Schluein, Disentis/Mustér, Valendas, Vella Gr.
Back to the main travel overview: Surselva.
