Soazza is a terraced village set back from the cantonal road and distinguished by its particular tranquillity. In places, its lanes combine urban elegance with a rustic, rural mountain character. The village and political municipality lies in the Italian-speaking part of the canton of Graubünden and belongs to the Moesa region. Soazza is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites of National Importance; local cultural assets include the parish church of San Martino, the Palazzo a Marca and the hospice.
Churches, art and local history
San Martino stands on a rocky outcrop and overlooks the surrounding area. The church was completely rebuilt in 1639, with a square nave and a single choir, and was subsequently remodelled in the Baroque style. A painted wooden-beam ceiling from the 17th century has been preserved in the nave. The organ was installed in 1894 by the Giuseppe Vedani company of Varese; it became known through the organist Hannes Mayer. The church thus brings together architecture, furnishings and music history in one place.
The Palazzo a Marca dates from the 17th century and was restored in 1975. Painted wooden ceilings and elaborately carved door lintels are among its distinctive features. The building was also converted into an art centre offering year-round courses in painting, sculpture and photography. As course programmes may change, it is advisable to check dates before visiting. At the Ospizio dei Cappuccini, colourful frescoes by Francesco Antonio Giorgioli adorn the enclosing walls.
The Baroque Oratorio della Madonna Addolorata dates from 1751 and has an unusual triangular tower. Inside, vegetal stucco motifs and medallions from the same year depict the lives of Mary and Joseph. These details offer different points of interest on a tour of Soazza’s sacred buildings, from the layout and later remodelling of San Martino to the frescoes and stucco work in other buildings.
Exhibitions and insights into everyday life
The permanent exhibitions at the Centro culturale di Circolo can be visited during library opening hours. One exhibition explores the extraction and processing of soapstone in the 18th century as evidence of a craft with ancient origins. Another presents the stages involved in working with sheep’s wool: shearing, washing, combing, spinning and dyeing, as well as knitting. The library’s opening hours therefore also provide a practical window for visiting these exhibitions.
The La Vita de una Volta micro-museum is housed in a converted old stable and displays an extensive collection of antiques, including clothing and musical instruments. The exhibition La Vita de una Volta... il Sogno di Michi recreates a domestic setting on the first floor; objects from rural everyday life are displayed in the basement. The renovated old railway station has also been given a new purpose: it houses the Soazza municipal library.
Hiking trails and historic connections
The route from Mesocco to Soazza follows a former railway line, leads to the Castello di Mesocco castle complex and then continues to Soazza. A nature trail on this route leads to the ruins of Castello di Mesocco and offers views over the Misox. This is distinct from the hiking trail along the former railway line between Mesocco and Boffalora, which crosses bridges and passes through tunnels on the disused railway line.
The Via San Bernardino also reaches Soazza via sections of the former railway line, with viaducts and tunnels, as well as a restored 18th-century mule track. The route is listed as 14.5 kilometres long, with 1,042 metres of elevation gain and a walking time of six hours. This walking time is a specific figure to help plan your day; route conditions can change, so check them before setting out.
The Passo della Forcola connects the Misox Valley near Soazza with the Valchiavenna and continues via Gordona, Mese and Chiavenna. The route has been known since the Middle Ages, and probably earlier, and was used for military purposes. During this period, it was called the Via del Sale and was used for a long time as a natural extension of the Strada Priula. In August 2026, the route was listed as closed; check access before planning a hike.
Nature trails and choosing where to stay
The route to Lago Calvaresc leads from Soazza via Alp de Bec and the Pass de Buffalora to a mountain lake described as heart-shaped. The trail passes through landscapes of flowering rhododendrons and offers opportunities to spot wildlife. If you want to drive to Alp de Bec via the forest road, you need a transit permit from the municipality of Soazza; check this access requirement before setting off. Studies documented the first sighting of Nineta guadarramensis in Switzerland in the chestnut groves of Mont Grand; a 2016 cultural heritage brochure reports this observation.
When looking for accommodation in Soazza, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: local history and exhibitions make for a different day plan than longer hikes. The Via San Bernardino is listed as taking six hours to walk; for access to Alp de Bec, bear in mind that a permit is required. You can take these specific conditions into account when planning without combining the different routes and cultural attractions into a single outing.
Discover more destinations: San Vittore Gr, Castaneda Gr, Santa Maria In Calanca, Braggio, San Bernardino, Roveredo, Misox, Rossa Gr
For the broader travel overview: Moesa.
