Page 267 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

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Poschiavo Mesocco
! G5 n Stazione; www. ! F5 ∑ mesocco.ch EAT
valposchiavo.ch
The picturesque stone houses
The descent down Val di of Mesocco cluster on the Chesa Grischuna
Poschiavo, the valley on the banks of the River Moesa, Award-winning French
south side of the Bernina which runs along the Valle cuisine in a grand chalet.
Pass, reveals a very different Mesolcina. This valley stretches ! F4/F5
side of Switzerland. Here the from the San Bernardino Pass ⌂ Bahnhofstrasse 12,
climate and vegetation, as southwards to Bellinzona Klosters
well as the language and the and, although it is located ∑ chesagrischuna.ch
culture, are Mediterranean. in the canton of Graubünden,
Buildings show an Italian it has strong cultural links 
influence, the cuisine turns with Ticino.
to pastas and antipasti, and The Castello di Misox, a La Marmite
cypress trees and palms grow ruined fortress set on a rocky Fine wines and haute
in sheltered gardens. outcrop above the town, cuisine at high altitude.
Poschiavo (Puschlav in commands a stunning view of ! F5 ⌂ Corviglia,
German) is the main town in the valley and the villages in St Moritz § 81 833 63 55
the valley. At its heart is the it. Built for the counts of Sax
Piazza Communale, a square von Misox during the 12th 
lined with Italianate palazzi century, the castle was sig-
and two churches, a late 15th- nificantly extended in the
century Catholic church and 15th century and in 1480 it
a 17th-century Protestant passed into the ownership
church. Other notable build- of the Trivulizio family, from patron saint of Valle Mesolcina,
ings include the Casa Torre, a Milan. The slen der campanile and scenes symbolizing the
Romanesque tower, and the is a remnant of the castle months of the year.
Palazzo Albricci. The so-called complex, which was almost About 4 km (2.5 miles)
Spaniolenviertel (Spanish completely destroyed in 1526. south of Mesocco is Soazza,
Quarter) boasts imposing At the foot of the castle a village with an attractive
houses painted in a colourful stands the Romanesque 17th-century church. About
Moorish style. church of Santa Maria del 15 km (9 miles) south of
At nearby Cavaglia are Castello. Built in the 12th Soazza is the sleepy village
remarkable geological fea- century, the church was partly of San Vittore, where there
tures known as cauldrons. remodelled in the 17th cen- is an 8th-century chapel. The
These are natural wells, up to tury. The nave has a coffered Val Calanca, which runs into
3 m (10 ft) in diameter, that ceiling, and the walls are deco- Valle Mesolcina, is
were carved into the rock by rated with well-preserved also well worth
the circular action of stones 15th-century murals, which explor ing for
and water released by depict St George and the its beautiful
a melting glacier. Dragon, St Bernard of Siena, scenery.

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