Maienfeld: History, Vineyards and Heidi

Maienfeld is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Vineyards surround the town; at the foot of the Falknis, it lies in the Bündner Herrschaft, which belongs to the Landquart region. Maienfeld is located in the lower Chur Rhine Valley, eight kilometres southeast of Sargans. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, the town’s history, Heidi connections and trails through the vineyards offer different starting points for planning your visit.

Townscape and Historic Buildings

The central square is traditionally called «Städtli»; Maienfeld’s town rights are first documented in 1434. Brandis Castle lies southeast of the medieval town centre and is separated from it by a wall and a moat. Paintings from the 14th century have been preserved on the castle’s fifth floor.

Maienfeld’s historic town hall is built directly against the town wall and is of exceptional importance to the town’s inner and outer appearance. Maienfeld’s townscape is of national importance. The town hall façade depicts the transfer of judicial authority to the last governor, Jakob Ulrich Sprecher von Bernegg, in 1797.

At Maienfeld Castle, the imposing castle tower is the oldest structure in the complex; it was built around 1247. The old part of the castle now houses a restaurant and a bistro. Maienfeld thus brings together architectural evidence from different periods, without requiring them to be combined into a single visit.

Amandus Church: Architecture and History

Amandus Church in Maienfeld is a late Baroque church built between 1721 and 1724. Its history goes back further: it is mentioned around 840 as a subsidiary church of St. Luzisteig; its dedication to Saint Amandus is documented from 1105.

The church is designed as a hall church without a choir. A portal at each of the two narrow ends marks the endpoint of the main axis. The baptismal font, pulpit and organ form a cohesive ensemble; the font and pulpit bear the date 1721. In Graubünden, Amandus Church is a unique example of a building designed as a transverse church. Its architectural design, furnishings and recorded dates thus offer different ways to explore local history.

Heidi Sites and Trails Through the Vineyards

In Johanna Spyri’s novel «Heidi», Maienfeld is where the protagonist arrives in Switzerland. The Heidi Village is home to the original Heidi House, a dwelling furnished as it would have been in Heidi’s time. The Heidi Village also features the «Johanna Spyri’s Heidi World» exhibition.

The Heidi Trail is a circular route that starts at Maienfeld railway station and leads to the Heidi Village. Between Maienfeld and Rofels, it runs alongside vineyards. Another historic hike starts at St. Luzisteig Fortress. The two routes differ in their stated starting points and themes: the Heidi Trail focuses on the connection to the Heidi Village and the vineyards along the route, while the other hike centres on the fortress’s historical significance.

The Maienfeld–Fläsch wine route follows its own course. It leads through vineyards to Fläsch, continues along the Rhine and then returns to Maienfeld. When choosing a route, you can therefore distinguish between a circular route to the Heidi Village, a historic hike starting at the fortress and a loop that includes a stretch along the Rhine; no walking times are provided for these options.

Wine and Luzisteig

Wine tastings are offered at Schloss Salenegg in its historic wine press house. The backpack wine tasting combines a hike through the vineyards with three wines from the Bündner Herrschaft and an audio guide about the wine region, viticulture and the work of the winegrowers. It starts at Stall 247 in Maienfeld and leads through the vineyards to Fläsch. As offer details may change, check them before planning your visit.

The St. Luzisteig Military Museum is located in the old arsenal on the pass between Maienfeld and Balzers. A film shows Luzisteig’s historical role as an important transport route, military barrier and battlefield. Its earlier history and history date back to the 15th century. Together with the historic hike starting at the fortress, the museum offers another perspective on Luzisteig, without equating the history of the pass with the architectural history of the fortress.

Discover more destinations: Igis, Untervaz, Jenins, Landquart Fabriken, Malans, Fanas, Says, Mastrils

Back to the main travel overview: Landquart.