Savognin is a village in the municipality of Surses in the canton of GraubĂĽnden. Local history, a signposted cultural walk and opportunities for mountain activities give your trip a range of different focuses. Those interested in exploring architectural history will find different points of interest from visitors drawn to Lai Barnagn, the biking opportunities or the mountain railways.
Village History and Cultural Walk
The settlement group of «Curt» near the Nossadonna church was an episcopal estate. The «Curvanera» house is part of this group. The municipality of Savognin bought the house in 1979 on the initiative of Romano Plaz; the «Museum Curvanera» foundation was established with the aim of creating a regional museum for the valley. The Museum Regiunal Savognin showcases traditional crafts from the region. In front of the museum, the medicinal herb garden contains around 100 medicinal and culinary plants, arranged in eight beds.
Another way to explore local history is the «Gir Cultural tras vischnanca» cultural walk. This easy village walk is 1.6 kilometres long and leads through Savognin. Information signs are available in Romansh, German, Italian and English. The route starts at the tourist office and ends at Son Martegn church—a clear starting and finishing point for the walk.
Son Martegn church was consecrated in 1677. Its ceiling painting covers more than 100 square metres and depicts the vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Nossadonna church was consecrated by Bishop Johann VI in 1643; classical concerts are occasionally held there today. The present-day Son Mitgel building was constructed between 1658 and 1663. From the outset, the church served as a chaplaincy and burial church.
The «Segantini in Savognin» tour starts at Hotel Pianta and also ends at Son Martegn church. Savognin’s mountain scenery inspired Segantini to create numerous paintings in the years that followed. The Julier and Septimer passes were important transit routes at least as far back as Roman times; Savognin later developed into the main centre and meeting place of the Oberhalbstein court.
Activities around Lai Barnagn
The Lai Barnagn pump track includes a kids’ track, a pump track area and a skate area. It can be used free of charge; conditions may change. The Lai Barnagn Bike Skills Park adds two jump lines, each with three jumps. The skills line includes root sections, tight turns, small drops and balance features. The features are designed at different difficulty levels.
Mountain carts and scooters can be rented at Wasescha Sport Rent at the valley station of the Savognin mountain railways; availability may vary. The mountain cart and scooter route from Somtgant to Savognin is ten kilometres long. For fun sport routes No. 1 and 3, a gondola lift runs from Savognin to Somtgant; the route then heads towards Tigignas. When planning, both Somtgant as the starting point and the places mentioned along the route are therefore relevant.
A trail-running route also starts in Savognin, in the upper part of the village. It follows forest paths, mountain trails and a high-altitude trail to the summit of Motta Palousa, which offers panoramic views.
Lake and Mountain Railways
Lai Barnagn is used as a swimming lake in summer. The water is dammed and therefore warms up quickly; the lake is considered one of the warmest swimming lakes in the Alps. For a mountain stay, there are also the ski areas at Piz Martegnas and in Val Nandro, served by several cable cars operated by the Savognin mountain railways. Depending on your interests, summer lake activities or mountain sports can take centre stage, without requiring both to be in the same season.
Getting There and Practical Planning
Savognin can be reached from Chur by PostBus. Another option is to take the Rhaetian Railway to Tiefencastel and continue from there by PostBus. Check the current timetables when planning your trip. Route information, mountain railway operations, rental availability and concert dates may also change; checking the relevant information will help you choose the right activities for your stay.
Discover more destinations: BergĂĽn, Alvaneu, Salouf, Tinizong-Rona, Alvaschein, Mons, Bivio, Stierva.
Back to the overall travel overview: Albula.
