Ausstellung Kirche Zillis
Permanent exhibition on Postplatz in Zillis on the Romanesque ceiling paintings of the 12th-century church of St. Martin; admission together with the church.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The church of St. Martin in Zillis has a world-famous Romanesque wooden ceiling with 153 square painted panels, created at the beginning of the 12th century and known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Alps.” Dendrochronological studies date the wood of the ceiling to around 1114. The panels tell of the life of Jesus and of St. Martin; each year about 20,000 visitors come to the village south of the Viamala.
Since the summer of 1993, the municipality of Zillis-Reischen has run a permanent exhibition on Postplatz, intended to deepen understanding of the ceiling and the medieval world of images. It explains the historical and geographical context in which the work was created, offers a glimpse into the workshop of a medieval painter, and explains the special construction of the ceiling, its state of preservation and the dating of the panels. A short film presents the pictorial program and the meaning of the images.
Admission also covers the church, where the original ceiling can be seen. The ceiling is examined regularly in control years; then a special scaffold stands in part of the nave, and an information film shows the work. In the future, the exhibition is set to move to the expanded Talmuseum Tgea da Schons next to the church.
Highlights
- Introduction to the Romanesque ceiling of St. Martin with its 153 painted panels
- Construction, dating and preservation of the ceiling
- A glimpse into a medieval painter’s workshop
- Short film on the pictorial program
- Combination ticket with the church and the Viamala Gorge
Permanent exhibition
- Ausstellung zur Kirchendecke – Explains the origins, pictorial program, construction and preservation of the Romanesque ceiling of St. Martin, as well as the medieval worldview, supplemented by a short film.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Gemeinde Zillis-Reischen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 6Children aged 6 to 16. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 8 per personGroup rate for adults; children (6–16 years) in groups CHF 6. Please register group visits by phone or email. |
| Combination ticket for the church, the exhibition and the Viamala Gorge | CHF 16Children (6–16 years) CHF 10. |
| Guided tour by advance booking (flat rate) | CHF 120Plus admission. |
Admission covers the church and the exhibition (2026 prices).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Zillis is served by PostBus.
By car
Parking available
Large parking area by the church of St. Martin, a few spaces by the post office.
By car on the A13 from the north, take exit 24 (Zillis); from the south, take exit 25 (Andeer) and continue toward Zillis.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | In July and August, a public guided tour without registration takes place every Tuesday at 15:00 (CHF 10, children CHF 6), meeting point in front of the exhibition. Group tours are available at any time by advance booking. Dogs are not permitted in the exhibition, except small dogs in a bag. |
