Tiefencastel - Over Julier Pass

The road from Chur and Lenzerheide was built between 1820 and 1840 and later improved. At the north end of the Oberhalbstein valley is Tiefencastel (Romansch Casti; alt. 851m/2,792ft; pop. 350), situated at a road junction on the site of the Roman station of Imacastra. On a rocky hill between the rivers Julia and Albula stands the parish church of St Stephen (1660), with a richly decorated interior. To the southwest lies the village of Mon (1,227 m/4,026ft); in the church are 15th century frescoes. A few kilometers before Tiefencastel, high above the Albula gorge, is St Peter in Mistail. Recently excavated remains of frescoes indicate it was built in the time of Charles the Great, around 800.