Burgkirche Raron, Raron

On the hill overlooking the village of Raron (or Rarogne in French) there remain some vestiges of the Castle and the church built around 1515 to replace the one located in the center of the village destroyed by mudslides and stones. This church of Gothic style Terminal deserves a visit even for its lattice vault of ribs and frescos on the North wall. If many visitors embark on the assault of this Hill it is to discover the modest tomb of the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke leaning on the southern wall of the Church and not in the small cemetery where many seek it. In October 1925, Rilke felt that he was not going to live much longer and asked to be buried in Rarogne explaining his choice: "I would prefer to be buried in the high perched cemetery of the ancient Church of Rarogne. Its enclosure is one of the first places I have welcomed the wind and light of this country. " Rilke died on 29 December 1926 in Montreux. It was buried on January 2, 1927, in an icy time at the cemetery of Rarogne.

It is a spicy walk upstairs to the church tour but it's well worth it. The Church has a very old Swiss atmosphere. On top of the mountain where the Church is you have a very nice view over the town of Raron. The walk to the Church itself is also so you learn Raron also a bit common and you see the beautiful architectural styles that are present. Next to the Church is a small museum.