Above the roofs of Tarces rises the legendary Tarces Hill, an archaeological site and local recreation area
In local dialect, it's simply called the "Bichl" - the Tartscher Bühel hill that has been a settlement since time immemorial and today watches over the small village of Tarces (Tartsch) near Malles. Legends tell of a town on the high ground, and archaeologists have searched for it several times. It came to light that as early as the 5th century BC, families of the Rhaetian Celtic tribe settled here, making the site one of the oldest settlements in the Alpine region.
The Tarces Hill is a protected biotope covered in steppe grasses, a beautiful contrast to the vast expanses of the Malles Heath. You can explore it on foot along the Bichlsteig trail. At the foot of the hill lies the village with its shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. In the centre stand the Michlwirt inn and the Parish Church of St. Andrew with the adjoining St. Michael's Chapel.
It has been secured and today serves as a storage place for valuable altarpieces, including the one from the St. Vitus Chapel on the "Bichl". The bus also stops in the village centre. A few steps away, you'll find a small pond and the 17th-century St. Joseph's Chapel. In June, a colourful market atmosphere awaits you on the "Bichl": This is when one of the traditional markets, the St. Vitus Market, takes place, named after the Romanesque chapel on Tarces Hill.
The church itself dates from the 11th century, while the burn marks still visible today are from the time of the Engadine War in 1499. In summer, you can visit it once a week as part of a guided tour. In winter, the Watles Skiing Area is nearby, and ski tourers are drawn to the Monte di Tarres peak.
