Grep Ault ruin, Zignau

The Grepault castle ruins are located on a mighty rocky hill on the right bank of the Rhine as the crow flies between Trun and Zignau. The hilltop slopes down in several steps from south to north. The ascent to the castle is from the south, where there is still a ramp marking the old entrance. Various exploratory and surface excavations since 1931 have provided evidence of several prehistoric settlement horizons. The most recent occupation period belongs to the early Middle Ages. The remains of a fortified enclosure wall that runs along the southern and western edge of the plateau date from this period. A traverse branches off at the obtuse-angled south-western corner. The gate opening is located on the south side. An early medieval church has come to light on the periphery of the plateau. A simple hall building with an apse that grew out of the side walls without being stilted, with a free-standing altar and a rectangular longitudinal annex to the south. Parts of the enclosing wall and foundations of the church were kept visible after the excavations. The church probably dates back to the 6th or 7th century. The sparse finds from the 6th or 7th century indicate that it was used temporarily. The site on the Grepault thus proves to be an early medieval church fort, which was probably abandoned in the pre-Carolingian period, so that it was not transformed into a feudal castle like Jörgenberg or Castrisch.

(Recorded by Regiun Surselva)