Rothenbrunnen: Castles and spa history

Rothenbrunnen is the northernmost municipality in the Domleschg region and lies 625 metres above sea level. The village is known as the “Gateway to Domleschg” and is the first settlement between the castles of Oberjuvalta and Niederjuvalta. When planning your trip, you can explore several distinct highlights: castle ruins, the history of a mineral spring and a garden on a rock face.

Castles with different traces of the past

A remnant of the tower of Niederjuvalt still stands high above the Rhine. At the foot of the rock are the remains of a former barrier. Oberjuvalta reveals a different architectural feature: a three-storey tower stands at the highest point of the rock. The site has been gradually renovated since 1979, with the aim of restoring it as closely as possible to its original condition. Following extensive renovation work, the castle complex is once again open to visitors.

Hochjuvalt is another castle site with its own history. The castle was probably built in the 12th century as the seat of the Lords of Juvalt. Today, only a remnant of its former five-storey keep remains. The ruin stands on a narrow rocky outcrop about 200 metres above the Rhine. It is a 20-minute walk from Rothenbrunnen railway station. The ruin is open to the public, but the rocky summit is not; check access conditions before your visit.

Spa history and spa garden

A warm, iodine- and iron-rich healing mineral spring with reddish water gave Rothenbrunnen its German name. It was used for spa treatments from 1888 until the 1920s. Today, flowers rather than spa treatments take centre stage at the old spa house.

The Rothenbrunnen spa garden was created over more than 20 years on several levels of a rock face. Regular guided tours introduce visitors to the garden, which is built into the rock face, and provide information about its botanical diversity; they last about two hours and take place in all weather. At the end, guests are served a platter of meat and cheese, accompanied by a glass of regional wine if they wish. As tour times may change, it is advisable to check the date and time before your visit.

Historic routes in Domleschg

The Polenweg between Rothenbrunnen and Domat/Ems was built by Polish internees who came to Switzerland in 1940 and were interned under the Hague Convention. During their internment, they lived in barracks camps until December 1945. The path’s origins link it to a specific chapter in Swiss history.

The Domleschg Castle Trail is a hiking route through the Domleschg region between the railway stations in Thusis and Rothenbrunnen. You can explore it in stages and combine it with the postbus. This offers a different way to plan a hike through the region than the shorter walk from Rothenbrunnen railway station to the Hochjuvalt ruin.

Church and late Gothic house

Historic buildings can also be found in the village itself: the church, built in 1741, provides space for both denominations. Another attraction is the late Gothic Tscharner House, dating from 1546, with façade paintings by Hans Ardüser. Together with the castles and the spa history, these buildings reveal different aspects of the village’s history.

Discover more destinations: Innerferrera, Sufers, Sarn, Sils Im Domleschg, Avers, Splügen, Portein, Donath

For the full travel overview: Hinterrhein.