Villages around the Rhine Gorge
Around the Rhine Gorge, there are charming and pristine villages. The neat village of Valendas amazes with its historical background, its well-preserved and magnificent mansions and, of course, the wooden fountain in the heart of the small town.
The first town on the Rhine is Ilanz. With its high town walls, the stroll through the old district is a notable experience. If you are interested in architecture, you can follow in the architectural footsteps of Rudolf and Valerio Olgiati in Flims.
Valendas - the largest wooden fountain in Europe
On the nationally protected village square of Valendas, the largest wooden fountain in Europe is located. Until the middle of the 19th century, wooden fountains were no rarity in Grisons, but its dimensions are surprising: the water basin is around 8 m long and 5 m wide, with a capacity of around 15,000 liters. Until the beginning of the 20th century, this well was the only source of water in the village and fulfilled an important role as a social meeting point. Animals were led to water, locals did their laundry and children played here. Even today, the fountain still invites children to bathe in summer.
The fountain is coronated by a figure carved from wood and painted in color. It depicts a mermaid, semi-nude, with a fluke and a picture hat. In her hand, she somewhat humbly holds a bouquet of tulips.
There are many stories about her origins: Did a mercenary bring her back from Italy? Was it carved in Grisons, but based on an Italian model? That is for sure, she has been guarding the impressive fountain since 1760, making her one of the most original fountain statues in Switzerland.
History of village development exhibition
Valendas is deemed a showcase for a forward-looking village development. Since July 2022, an exhibition has been providing insights into the history of the mountain village and showing how it has successfully undergone sustainable development to become a vibrant village.
The mountain village of Valendas has had an exciting history, making it a showcase of successful innovations in the village today. Various waves of emigration and the associated depopulation led to decades of stagnant development. Thanks to the efforts of committed residents, the Valendas Impuls association, foundation, and the support of many people and institutions, Valendas has reinvented itself in recent years. The population is growing and the houses and squares thus bringing the village back to life again.
The townscape is of national importance, with its considerable patrician houses, the imposing ancient wooden fountain and the well-preserved historic buildings, impressively illustrates the village’s eventful history. With the project «Valendas – Eine Ausstellung zur Entwicklung und Geschichte des Dorfes», locals and visitors are invited to learn more about the everyday life in Valendas in the barn of the historic Jooshuus and to understand how the reawakening of the village worked. The Valendas Impuls association and the Beverin Nature Park in collaboration with gasser, derungs and Ludmila Seifert organized the exhibition.
The exhibition is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jooshuus
Freissen 7
7122 Valendas
Terraviva
Referenzen.
faszinaturRaum Valendas
The “faszinaturRaum” on the village square in Valendas provides an insight into the wealth of flora and fauna in the Safiental – from the Rhine Gorge to the Safierberg. As hostess, the exotic mermaid from the wooden fountain on the village square takes visitors on an expedition through the various habitats and provides insights into a fascinating biodiversity and an impressively beautiful cultural and natural landscape. The flora and fauna is put in the limelight, are fascinating, and attract visitors to go outside and discover and explore nature in the Safiental and the Rhine Gorge.
Regional products
Villages with farm shops or homemade specialties:
– Bonaduz
– Brün
– Castrisch
– Fidaz
– Tamins
– Trin Mulin
– Turisch
– Spiecher
– Valendas
In these villages, you will find a shop to get a picnic, the weekly purchase or just for a nice chat:
– Bonaduz
– Tamins
– Trin village
– Trin Mulin
– Flims
– Laax
– Sagogn
– Ilanz
– Versam
– Valendas
Terraviva
