Stierva combines a late Gothic parish church, a moorland of national importance and trails for a range of activities. The village is in Parc Ela; its villagescape has also been recognised as a site of national importance. When choosing a stay, cultural history, landscape and outdoor activities offer different points of focus.
Villagescape and Alp da Stierva
Around 140 people live in Stierva. The majority speak Rumantsch Surmiran; German is also spoken. The Alp da Stierva moorland extends across a hillside terrace near Stierva/Stürvis. From there, there are sweeping views of the Albula Valley and the scree slopes of Piz Toissa. A traditional settlement of Maiensäss farmsteads and field barns built using the blockhouse method has been preserved on the alp; a small alpine chapel completes it. Nature and cultural landscape are therefore equally defining features of the area around Stierva.
Church, Tower and Craftsmanship
The present late Gothic building of the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene was completed in December 1521. Its architectural features include the ribbed net vault and the late Gothic winged altarpiece. The altar is dated 1504 and comes from the workshop of Augustin Henckel—so it was made before the present church building was completed. During renovation work at the church in 1980–1981, three earlier buildings were identified. One was a probably Carolingian hall church, mentioned around 840. The medieval residential tower La Tour is a cultural asset of regional importance.
The Tgesa rasteler museum documents the rake-making craft with photographs and film footage. Hans Friberg gives guided tours there and tells visitors about life in the 20th century in the Graubünden mountain village of Stierva/Stürvis. The rake-maker’s house is open to the public as a museum and presents the history of the house.
Hiking and Other Activities
Veia digl Pader is a twelve-kilometre themed trail from Stierva/Stürvis to Savognin. Along the way, you will find poems by Father Alexander Lozza (1880–1953), which can be accessed via the Parc Ela app. Before setting out, check whether the poems are still available there. The distance gives you a specific basis for planning; the Mon–Stierva winter hike offers a different kind of guidance: it is rated easy in terms of both technical difficulty and fitness level.
The senda meir walking trail, also called the Mouse Trail, was also created in Stierva: it is marked by many mouse stones and curves. For winter sports, the 130-metre-long Sumvei small ski lift, with its gentle, child-friendly slope, offers another option; beginners can practise their first turns there. The activities described range from a walking trail and longer and winter hikes to first attempts on the slopes.
Plan Your Journey
Stierva is not on a through road and can be reached from Tiefencastel via the municipality of Mon. The PostBus service between Tiefencastel and Stierva must be reserved in advance. Check the service before travelling and remember that a reservation is required if you are taking the PostBus.
Discover more destinations: Cunter, Alvaschein, Sur, Riom-Parsonz, Surava, Savognin, Mutten, Wiesen.
Return to the main travel overview: Albula.
