Explora la cultura de St. Moritz: Tradición viva
Sumérgete en la rica historia y cultura de St. Moritz a través de sus museos y monumentos.
St. Moritz, located at an altitude of 1,822 meters in the idyllic Alpine valley of the Upper Engadine, is the most exclusive and legendary ski and luxury destination on the planet. Famous for its 'champagne climate' (sparkling dry air with more than 300 days of sunshine a year), turquoise alpine lakes, centuries-old palace hotels and winter ice events (such as polo and horse racing), the town combines cosmopolitan sophistication with the rugged majesty of the Swiss Alps.
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Culture & Heritage
Discover the rich history, art and traditions of St. Moritz
Surprising concentration of prestigious international art galleries (Hauser & Wirth, Vito Schnabel), monographic museums and classical and jazz music festivals.
Best of local culture
Museums & Galleries
Badrutt's Palace Hotel
The most famous castle-hotel in the Alps, inaugurated in 1896 by Caspar Badrutt, a symbol of aristocratic luxury with its emblematic neo-Gothic tower that dominates the town's silhouette.
Segantini Museum
Vaulted building erected in 1908 in homage to the symbolist master Giovanni Segantini, housing his famous Alpine triptych 'Nature, Life and Death'.
Olympia Bobrun St. Moritz-Celerina
The oldest bobsleigh track in the world and the only one hand-sculpted from natural ice each winter; offers descents for tourists in 'Guest Bobsleigh' reaching more than 130 km/h.
Crest Run
The legendary natural ice slide founded in 1884 by the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club, world cradle of skeleton where pilots descend upside down at dizzying speeds.
Festivals & Events
White Turf St. Moritz
Three first Sundays in FebruaryInternational horse racing and Skikjöring on the frozen lake.
Snow Polo World Cup
end of januaryThe only high-end polo tournament played on snow and ice in the world.
St. Moritz Gourmet Festival
End of January / Beginning of FebruaryGastronomic summit that brings together great Michelin-starred chefs from all over the world in local hotels for a week.
History
Origins
Its thermal springs rich in iron and carbon dioxide have been known since the Bronze Age (more than 3,400 years ago), attracting medieval pilgrims and scholars such as Paracelsus in the 16th century for the healing properties of its spring waters.
Development
In the autumn of 1864, pioneering hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a legendary bet with four British aristocrats, promising them a sunny winter in their shirtsleeves in the Engadine. Their successful visit officially gave rise to winter tourism in the Alps, followed by the installation of Switzerland's first electric light in 1878 (Kulm Hotel), the first curling tournament and the opening of the legendary Cresta Run toboggan run in 1884.
Modern era
Host of the Winter Olympic Games twice (1928 and 1948) and multiple World Alpine Ski Championships, St. Moritz has established itself as an icon of global glamour, avant-garde Alpine architecture and an elite four-season sports and cultural center.
Ratings
Scores by category
Culture
Surprising concentration of prestigious international art galleries (Hauser & Wirth, Vito Schnabel), monographic museums and classical and jazz music festivals.
Heritage
The undisputed birthplace of modern winter tourism and a pioneer in ice and snow sports in Europe.
Architecture
A fascinating combination of rustic Engadine architecture (sgraffito houses), grand hotel palaces from the Belle Époque and avant-garde landmarks.
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Morning Walk on Staz Lake in Autumn
Walk early in the morning (8:00 AM) along the tree-lined path from St. Moritz Dorf towards Lake Lej da Staz to admire the morning vapors on the water and the reflection of the golden larch trees without crossing paths with anyone.
Sunset at Muottas Muragl
Ride the Muottas Muragl funicular before sunset to enjoy a drink on the terrace while the Alpine sky turns violet over the Engadine lake line.
'Smart Casual' and Gala Dress Code
During the day, high-end mountain sports clothing rules. At night, the restaurants of the large palace hotels and events require a formal jacket or elegant dress for dinner.
Swiss Punctuality
Public transport, scenic trains and restaurant reservations are governed by exact minute punctuality.
Extreme Altitude Sun Protection
At almost 2,000 meters of altitude and with the reflection of the snow, ultraviolet radiation is extremely intense; Wear category 3 or 4 polarized sunglasses and SPF 50+ sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Pure Spring Water
Tap water and all public fountains come from alpine glacial springs of the highest quality and pure mineralization.
Caution with Ice and Snow on Sidewalks
In winter, despite the constant sweeping, the night cold generates transparent sheets of ice ('black ice') on the steep streets; Use shoes with non-slip rubber soles.
Safety on the slopes and off the slopes
Never leave the marked slopes of Corviglia, Diavolezza or Corvatsch without avalanche rescue equipment (DVA, shovel, probe) and a certified guide.
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