Malix: Mountain Scenery and History

Malix is a village in the municipality of Churwalden in the canton of Graubünden. The Brambrüesch-Dreibündenstein ski and hiking region is located near Malix. Alongside the mountain area, tangible landmarks shape the village’s history: Strassberg Castle, the Reformed Church and traces of former grain cultivation. Malix lies around four kilometres south of Chur as the crow flies, on the road to Lenzerheide. Its location also has historical significance: the village lay on the transit route from Chur to northern Italy and was first mentioned in 1149 as “Umbilico.”

Mountain Scenery and Tours

Dreibündenstein, known in Romansh as Term Bel, is located in the alpine area of the present-day municipalities of Domat/Ems, Scheid and Malix. It is a summit, a high plateau and a historic boundary marker. Cross-area circular hikes and snowshoe tours are available at Dreibündenstein. Conditions on the tours can vary depending on the season.

The mountain activities offer different ways to plan your trip: the Brambrüesch-Dreibündenstein region connects Malix with skiing and hiking, while circular hikes and snowshoe tours are also a focus at Dreibündenstein. By planning your time in the village around your interests, you can balance these activities with Malix’s historic traces instead of focusing your trip on just one theme.

Local History and Architectural Heritage

Strassberg Castle was built southeast of the village of Malix by the Barons of Vaz in the mid-12th century. The tower and parts of the palas, a great hall, have survived from the castle complex. A public gathering place with a fire pit was created at the site, incorporating the old sawmill building. The surviving parts of the castle and the present-day description of the site thus relate to different aspects of the same location.

The Reformed Church of Malix can also be dated by several architectural and decorative features. It was founded in the Middle Ages; its choir was rebuilt in 1496. The semicircular baptismal font with a polygonal credence console was made around 1400. The two dates refer to different features: the baptismal font and the later-rebuilt choir.

Further aspects of local history include the Malix sawmill and evidence of earlier farming. According to dendrochronological samples, the sawmill dates from 1860. Field names containing the element “Acher” and terracing in the landscape indicate that grain was cultivated in Malix at an early date. These traces tell different stories: the dendrochronological samples date the sawmill, while the names and landscape point to the agricultural tradition.

The Former Municipal Area

A look at the former boundaries adds to the present-day picture of Malix as a village in the municipality of Churwalden. The former municipal area covered the left flank of the lower Churwalden valley, from the Rabiusa river to the ridge of the northern spur of the Stätzerhorn range, including Dreibündenstein. At 2,282 metres, Windegga was the highest point in this area.

The former municipal area included the clustered village of Malix, situated on a slope terrace, the hamlets of Kreuz and Spina, and several Maiensäss alpine pastures. This historical account shows that the former municipal boundaries extended beyond the village centre. For trip planning, two distinct themes are available: mountain activities around Dreibündenstein and local history, which can be traced through the castle, church, sawmill and evidence of farming.

Discover more destinations: Pagig, Litzirüti, Praden, Castiel, Sankt Peter, Chur, Langwies, Tschiertschen

For the broader travel overview: Plessur.