Poschiavo: Railway Heritage, Architecture and Cultural History
Accommodation in Poschiavo
Poschiavo is in the southern part of the Swiss canton of GraubĂĽnden. Together with the neighbouring municipality of Brusio, it forms the Puschlav valley, known in Italian as Val Poschiavo. This destination combines railway and cultural heritage with a history reflected in its historic houses, collections and trails. When looking for hotels, consider whether you would like to focus your stay on architecture and museums, hiking or seasonal cultural events.
Railways, Squares and Historic Buildings
The Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes runs through Poschiavo and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route is an outstanding technical, architectural and scenic ensemble. The Bernina Express also travels through Poschiavo, connecting St. Moritz with Tirano in Italy. The railway is therefore one of the defining features of Valposchiavo and its landscape.
The townscape brings together a variety of architectural influences. Piazza da CumĂĽn is surrounded by Italian-style patrician houses, while the late Gothic church of San Vittore is another landmark. Magnificent Venetian-style villas line Via dei Palazzi. They were built by emigrant families who returned from abroad. Together, the squares and buildings tell a story of architecture that is not limited to a single style or period.
Houses, Collections and Crafts
Casa Tomé dates back to around 1350 and is one of the oldest and best-preserved farmhouses in the Alps. It has been a protected monument since 1993 and is considered a rare example of a vanished rural civilisation. The “From Field to Table” offering at the site provides an opportunity to rediscover traditional local food. The same place thus brings together the rural past and a theme from the region’s food culture.
Through its extensive collection of documents and historic objects, the Museo Poschiavino tells the story of Valposchiavo’s history, art and culture. Founded in 1950, it is housed in Palazzo de Bassus-Mengotti, a building dating from 1655 with considerable artistic and architectural value. A visit to the collection and a look at the building offer two different ways to explore the valley’s cultural history.
The Vecchio Monastero also brings together different perspectives: in the attic, the museum displays objects from the nuns’ daily lives and craft activities. The Galleria Hidesheimer exhibits 22 collages by writer and artist Wolfgang Hildesheimer, who lived in Poschiavo from 1957 until his death in 1991. At the Museo Casa Console, the focus is on a fully restored manor house dating from 1856. It features important 19th-century paintings; the house also includes a gallery, an art school and a music room.
You can also explore local crafts at the Tessitura Valposchiavo. It is one of Switzerland’s last professional artisan weaving mills and occupies part of Palazzo de Bassus-Mengotti. The shop sells fabric by the metre, household goods and other items. The weaving mill, shop and museum each offer a different focus: textiles and crafts here, historic documents and objects from the region there.
Hiking and Guided Experiences
The Giro dei Secoli circular trail runs from Poschiavo to Castellasc along historic paths and connects several viewpoints. The hike starts and ends in Poschiavo. Another way to discover the Borgo is the “Home Stories” audiovisual walk, available year-round and following in the footsteps of the confectioner families through the village. On a guided tour of the Borgo, you can learn about the valley’s eventful history as well as its cultural, architectural, religious and food-and-wine heritage.
There are easy, stroller-friendly paths around Lago di Poschiavo. Guided hikes with a local BAW guide are also offered on Wednesdays in July and August; check the current dates before your trip. Guided visits at Mulino Aino take place on Mondays from 14:00 to 15:30, from 8 June to 19 October 2026. Check the details before your visit if you would like to include this in your travel plans.
Film Programme Throughout the Year
The “I Film di Devon House” cine club offers a varied film programme in summer. Screenings take place in the garden or, in bad weather, in the barn at Devon House, a building dating from the mid-19th century in the I Palazz district. In autumn, winter and spring, the programme includes shorter themed film series and films for children, shown in the barn or the Hall of Mirrors.
When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the different options: the squares, villas and museums showcase architectural and cultural history, while the circular trail and walk connect your stay with routes through Poschiavo. Guided visits, hikes and film screenings, on the other hand, take place on specific dates or during particular seasons.
Discover more destinations: Le Prese, Brusio.
Return to the main travel overview: Bernina.
