Discover Val Müstair in winter

La Val Mustair is located in Switzerland, in the canton of Graubünden. However, it is easier to reach it coming from Italy, through the valley of South Tyrol, in Vinschgautal (Val Venosta) as well as through the rest of Switzerland.

In fact, it is cut off from theEngadine and therefore from the rest of the country by a pass, the Ofenpass at an altitude of 2150m, while it is the natural extension of the Val Venosta at the level of Malles/Mals.

This isolation probably largely explains why in Val Mustair we don't feel like we're in Switzerland, nor in the Tyrol neighbornor in Italy, but in a truly unique region! This only applies to tourists… the locals are proud to be Swiss, and the Canton of Graubünden ! History, which has made this canton a sworn enemy of the Austrians (and therefore of the neighbouring Tyroleans, from the south or the north, alike!) certainly plays a role in this pride.

While being in the mountains, in a region with unspoiled nature, every corner of the valley offers an opportunity to discover a little art and history, which is remarkable at this altitude and in such a remote region.

AlpAddict.com invites you to discover the valley by joining the main points of interest.

Val Müstair: the monastery valley.

On a cultural stroll in Val Müstair — The Carolingian Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Müstair

Müstair, the Monastery in the Romansh language…

Bainvignü!

Everywhere you will be greeted with the sound of this word of welcome (it sounds like French, by the way, if you read it quickly). Yes, here, as in the canton of Graubünden In general, there are several official languages. German is the most widespread official language, but in this valley, Romansh is still widely spoken and used in public signage.

Although it is one of the languages of the canton of Graubünden, we rarely see posters or signs in Romansh in the canton, with the exception of the Val Mustair and the very neighbor Engadine.

To return to the word Mustair, it is the Romansh form of the word "monastery" and gave its name to the valley. In fact, in the homonymous village there is a unique work of art, the Benedictine convent of Saint John the Baptist, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

With AlpAddict on a cultural stroll in Val Müstair — Bell tower of the Abbey of Saint John the Baptist in Müstair

Built 1200 years ago under the supervision of the Bishop of Chur (capital of Grisons), it was transformed into an imperial monastery when Charlemagne became emperor and the route via the Resia Pass (current demarcation between Italy and Austria) along the ancient Roman road became an obligatory passage for the imperial troops on the way to Rome. Tradition says that it was Charlemagne himself who ordered its enlargement according to new plans.

During the successive restorations of the abbey, the ancient frescoes, more than 900 years old, the works of artisans from the Carolingian period, were found and brought to light!

They represent chapters of the catechism taught at this time, the monasteries being above all places of education at this time of the Middle Ages.

The wall paintings of the houses of Val Müstair

The capital of the valley, St. Mary in Val Müstair, is worth a stroll to discover the frescoes and murals that adorn the facades of its houses.

A Mustair, a Catholic village due to the presence of the monastery, we can see saints in the frescoes that adorn the facades of the houses, while in the other villages, Protestant, these are rather ornaments in the form of sayings.

In any case, these frescoes and drawings are an opportunity for a walk with your nose in the air!

Tschierv, the Biosphere!

AlpAddict on skis in Val Müstair — Landscape of the upper Val Müstair

In a village called Tschierv, meaning "deer" in Romansh, one could only be interested in the life of the local wildlife! And indeed, it is here that the headquarters of the Biosphere of Val Mustair.

On the edge of the Swiss National Park which covers a large part of the mountains of Engadine neighboring, the Biosphere is a regional park in which farmers have decided to cultivate organically only (this represents 80% of local production today).

The craftsmen have preserved their know-how from ancient times and the cultural aspects linked to the history of the Valley and the influence of its abbey are highlighted in the same way as the development of winter and summer tourist activities.

Here, it is all about balancing ecology and economy in order to ensure the long-term subsistence of the local population.

And what about sports tourism in Val Müstair?

In the heart of the mountains, the Val Mustair fortunately does not escape the four major activities, and Tschierv is the nerve center:

Alpine skiing: in a small side valley on the Ofenpass road after Tschierv, the Minschuns resort offers 25 kilometres of slopes between 1700m and 2700m altitude.
Cross-country skiing: 30 km of trails allow you to crisscross the valley between Valchava and Tschierv.
Hiking, snowshoeing in winter, on the surrounding mountains, and inside the Swiss National Park around the Ofenpass
Cycling: mountain biking in summer in Val Mora, or road cycling with the climb of the Umbrail Pass and why not the Stelvio?

Le Val Mustair is a region apart. It responds to a need for silence, meditation, and wonder in front of natural beauties, but also in front of those produced by men.

It allows you to combine an eco-responsible approach to tourism without depriving yourself of the pleasures of sport and discovering the mountains.

Le Val Mustair is well in Switzerland, but only a few kilometers from other countries: ultimately, a region with a very European culture and openness.

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