Bad Ragaz Tourist Attractions

8km/5mi to the northwest of Bad Ragaz is the little town of Sargans (482 m/1,581ft), its old town was completely destroyed by fire in 1811. The 19th C. Town Hall (Gallatihaus) is built in Classical style. The parish church of St Oswald and Cassian is of 18th C. origin, restored and extended in the 19th and 20th C.There are two interesting chapels in the hamlet of Vild - St Sebastian and St Maria. In Züricherstrasse (No. 5) there is an interesting private collection of cars, motorcycles and accessories. Sargans is dominated by the castle, former seat of the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans.The castle was first documented in 1282 and was the official seat of the provincial governors until the end of the 18th C and is now a center for local history and scenic views.

In this baroque building, the history of the spa is outlined from 1630 to the present.

From Bad Pfäfers long passages run down to Tamina gorge (500 m/1,641ft long), at the end of which is a narrow steam-filled gallery where the principal spring emerges from a deep chamber in the rock.In 1242 a gangway was constructed on the rock face, supported on projecting beams, and in about 1465 a chamber was excavated above the spring, from which patients were let down on ropes.

A road parallel to the Bad Pfäfers road runs west up the Rhine valley to the developing spa of Bad Valens (915 m/3,002ft).

3km/2mi southeast of Ragaz is the Wartenstein, with the Hotel Wartenstein (751 m/2,464ft), from which there is a beautiful view of the Churfirsten. Below the hotel are the ruins of Wartenstein Castle (13th C.) and St George's Chapel.

West of Ragaz, above the right bank of the Tamina, is the Guschakopf (751 m/2,464ft; 45 minutes), from which there is a fine view.

Southwest of Ragaz, Pizol (2,848 m/9,344ft) can be reached by way of a cableway (3.5km/2mi, 22 minutes) to Pardiel (1,630 m/5,348ft; mountain inn), from which a chairlift leads up to the Laufböden (2,222 m/7,290ft), near the Pizol hut (2,229 m/7,313ft; cableway from Wangs; first-rate ski trails).

The driving tour from Ragaz to Vättis is 15km/9mi. The road winds its way up to the Wartenstein. 4km/2mi: Pfäfers (822m/2,697ft; several inns), with the former Benedictine monastery of St Pirminsberg (founded ca. 740, rebuilt 1672-93), now a cantonal home.The road continues along the east side of the deep Tamina valley, via Ragol and Vadura. 11km/7mi: Vättis (951 m/3,120ft), a quiet and beautifully situated summer resort under the west side of the towering Calanda (2,806 m/9,206ft). From here a very narrow road (excursions by minibus from Ragaz to St Martin, 1,350 m/4,429ft, beyond this jeeps only: information from Verkehrsverein, Vättis) runs west up the beautiful Calfeisental to the Alp Sardona (1,742 m/5,716ft; 12km/7mi), from which Piz Sardona (3,059 m/10,137ft) can be climbed (4.25 hours, with guide) by way of the Sardona hut (2,161 m/7,090ft).