The rectangular village square gives Vella a distinctive centre: on the valley side, it is bordered by imposing buildings, and on the mountain side by two very well-preserved 18th-century timber-framed farmhouses. The complex of church and imposing residences is unique among the buildings in Lumnezia and recalls Vella’s former importance as the valley’s main settlement.
Village Layout, Churches and Local History
The historic settlement has also largely retained its original layout. Houses and barns stand among enclosed gardens and fruit trees; grassy, semi-public footpaths and a restored open village stream are also part of the townscape. This makes Vella a place where historic building styles and everyday village structures can be explored side by side.
A settlement already existed in Pleif during the Bronze Age. The first church building documented there dates to the year 800. For centuries, the Church of Sogn Vintschegn was the main church of the valley. Large tomb slabs belonging to the de Mont family are set into its north exterior wall. Inside, works of art from different periods stand side by side: in 1726, Johannes Ritz created the two-storey high altar; a Renaissance altar by Hans Jakob Greutter on the north wall depicts the Queen of the Rosary, surrounded by 15 medallions showing the Mysteries of the Rosary.
In the centre of the village, next to a chapel, stands the palatial Casti de Mont. After a fire destroyed the building, Margaretha von Mont had it rebuilt in 1666; it has been a listed monument since 1982. The Chapel of Sogn Roc e Sogn Bistgaun is also located on the village square. Landeshauptmann Gallus von Mont founded it during a plague epidemic; it was consecrated in 1592. The façade, designed by Alois Carigiet in 1940, was created as part of a renovation and enlargement and depicts Saints Christopher and Mauritius. Inside is a small winged altarpiece featuring members of the de Mont family.
Caplutta is a gentle hill with a small niche dedicated to a saint, and is one of the finest viewpoints in Val Lumnezia. The statue of Saint Joseph there has long been venerated and invoked in times of need. The Caplutta reading bench in Vella is stocked year-round with seasonal reading material and offers views across the whole of Val Lumnezia.
Cultural Trails and Hikes from Vella
The Senda culturala Lumnezia is an easy 7.5-kilometre cultural trail that starts and ends in Vella. Information panels cover the history, culture and geology of Lumnezia, as well as its fauna and flora. There are also more than 30 historic boundary markers and three information panels about the plant and animal life of wetlands. The trail thus combines local and regional history with topics from the natural world.
For a different hiking idea, an easy route leads from Vella to Lake Davos Munts, a swimming lake above Vattiz. The Vella–Triel–Vella circular hike passes through forests and alpine meadows. With a little luck, you can spot marmots along the way; from the Triel mid-station, the view stretches far across Lumnezia. The two routes therefore differ both in their destinations and in the landscapes described.
Winter Trails and Other Activities
In winter, the Senda d'unviern Triel hike starts in Vella at Sumsiaras and follows a short climb to the edge of the village at Bual. From Triel, you can take the chairlift back to Vella. As winter conditions and seasonal lift operations need to be taken into account, it is advisable to check conditions and availability before travelling.
Below the village, in the direction of Pleif Church, there is a nearly two-kilometre cross-country ski loop. It is groomed for both skating and classic technique. The signposted Tschanabrels snowshoe trail starts at the Bual football pitch in Vella and continues via Sasuz and the Vattiz forest to Tschanabrels. Snowshoeing equipment can be rented from Menzli Sport in Vella.
There are also specific options for other interests: the 33.11-kilometre Grosse Lumnezia-Runde gravel route starts in Vella. Vella also has tennis courts, among the Val Lumnezia’s summer sports facilities.
Discover more destinations: Schluein, Breil-Brigels, Vrin, Valendas, Versam, Medels Im Oberland, Obersaxen, Sevgein.
Back to the main travel overview: Surselva.
