Discover Tafers: Church, St. James Chapel and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Tafers
The municipality of Tafers is the main town of the Sense District in the canton of Fribourg. St. Martin’s Parish Church, the St. James Chapel, the Sensler Museum and hiking trails bring together ecclesiastical history, regional culture and scenery. If you are planning your stay around culture and outdoor activities, you can choose between historic sites and routes with different characteristics.
Church, St. James Chapel and Pilgrimage History
St. Martin’s Parish Church was first mentioned in a written record in 1148. Its origins are said to date back to the 9th century, possibly even earlier. These details refer to different points in time: 1148 is the first written record, while the origins are believed to be earlier. Over the course of its history, the church was rebuilt and extended through major restorations on five occasions.
The St. James Chapel stands right next to the parish church, on a medieval Way of St. James. Its early Baroque altar was made by Hans Franz Reyff around 1640. In 1769, local artist Jakob Stoll painted a cycle of eight scenes from the legend of Compostela, along with figures of the Apostles John and James, on the entrance side. The Santiago group also keeps the theme of pilgrimage alive through its annual programme: each year, it organizes a talk or a theatrical performance on the subject.
A glimpse into the culture of the Sense District
The Sensler Museum is housed in a typical Sensler timber house dating from 1780 and opened in Tafers in 1975. It presents the history of life and culture in this region over the centuries. Regional everyday life and cultural history thus complement the sacred works of art and pilgrimage tradition, offering a broader perspective on life in the Sense District.
For groups of eight or more, the museum offers guided tours and additional appointments by prior arrangement. If you are planning such a visit, arrange the date in advance. This makes the group size part of the planning, alongside the museum’s thematic focus.
Hiking trails and landscapes
Route 63, “Around Tafers,” is a circular route that starts and ends in Tafers. It follows waterways, passes through forests and crosses hills. For a different itinerary, the Schwarzenburg–Fribourg stage of the ViaJacobi is a specific option: it follows the Taverna to Tafers, is 20 kilometres long and is listed as taking five hours and 20 minutes. The stage is accessible by public transport and by car. A hiking trail also runs along the Taverna and Weissenbach between Tafers and St. Antoni.
The different details can help you choose: Tafers is the set start and finish point for Route 63, while the length and stated duration are known for the ViaJacobi stage. Before setting off, check current trail conditions as you plan your hike.
The Maggenberg Forest has well-maintained paths for walks beneath a canopy of leaves. The grotto can be reached from the hospital via an accessible path. On the hospital side of the forest, the beekeepers’ association of the Sense District has put together informative material about the lives of bees and their care. The walking paths, grotto and information about bees each offer a different focus in the forest.
The path through the Galterntal passes moss-covered tufa rock, through the damp shade of the Galterngraben and towards lively bubbling springs. Here, water, rock and shady stretches take centre stage—an entirely different landscape from the forests and hills of Route 63. As temporary closures are possible, check local conditions before setting off.
The ruins of Obermaggenberg Castle
Another historic site in the municipality is the ruins of Obermaggenberg Castle. It is the only surviving castle complex in the Sense District and is located in the Alterswil neighbourhood, at an elevation of 890 metres above the Sense. Based on its type, the castle is dated to around 1300. This approximate dating is therefore based on its architectural form, not on an exact year of construction.
Discover more destinations: DĂĽdingen, Schwarzsee, Oberschrot, WĂĽnnewil-Flamatt, Plaffeien, Saint Antoni, Plasselb, St. Ursen.
View the overview of the wider region: Sense.
