Lavin: Church Art and Trails in the Engadine

Lavin brings together traces of village history and church art with hikes through the Engadine landscape. The historic sites, trails and views offer a range of ways to plan your visit, from frescoes and settlement ruins to a hike in the Swiss National Park.

Church Art and Village History

Lavin’s Reformed church was built around 1480. Restored paintings dating from 1490 to 1500 add to its significance as an art monument; it is considered one of the most famous and worthwhile art monuments in Graubünden. A tour of the church offers insights into its history, the frescoes and their significance. The choir of San Güerg is also remarkable: it is completely covered with wall paintings from the late 15th century, attributed to a workshop in northern Italy. The paintings were uncovered in 1955 and have been secured and restored since 1984.

La Vouta, a small theatre in the vaulted cellar of a residential building, is part of the cultural scene. For more than 20 years, it has hosted monthly guest performances in theatre, music and performance art. Bistro Staziun specialises in readings. Cinema Staziun is located in the converted goods shed at Lavin railway station and has 25 seats. If you have a specific date in mind, check the programme in advance.

The history of the village and its surroundings can also be explored in different ways. After the great fire of 1869, Lavin’s reconstruction gave it an Italian character. The route from Lavin to Guarda passes the former settlement of Gonda roughly halfway along. The site includes a church ruin and the remains of nine other buildings; the medieval village layout has survived without later construction. A half-day guided tour of the fortifications covers the history, armaments and operation of the installations at Ova Spin and Lavin. The Lavin defensive barrier is defined by anti-tank obstacles on the valley floor and slopes. Its main barrier lies immediately east of the village, with village buildings incorporated into the anti-tank defences.

Macun and Trails Around Lavin

The Macun lake plateau lies within the municipality of Lavin and has been part of the Swiss National Park since 1 August 2000. The area contains 23 lakes. One listed outing is the hike from Alp Zeznina to Macun and back. The lakes and protected landscape therefore offer a distinct focus alongside the village’s historic sites.

Stage 7 of the Via Engiadina starts at Lavin railway station and follows sections of forest and alpine roads into Val Lavinuoz. The hike is 13 kilometres long and is listed as taking five hours, with 1,100 metres of elevation gain. Views along the route include Verstanclahorn, the Vadret da las Maisas glacier below it, and Piz Linard. An easier winter hike with a different route profile runs from Lavin railway station across the flatlands along the Inn and through the hamlet of Giarsun to Guarda railway station. It is 3.9 kilometres long.

Shorter or otherwise different outings also offer useful points of comparison. The climb from Lavin to Charnadüras involves 300 metres of elevation gain. At point 1609, the view opens out over Lavin and the Lower Engadine towards Guarda and Ardez; from the Charnadüras toboggan run, you can ride almost all the way down to the village. The Way of St James No. 43 from Lavin to Ardez follows the sunny side of the valley through a typical Engadine cultural landscape. The hike Chamonna dal Linard – Fuorcla da Glims – Val Sagliains requires basic alpine experience and good navigation skills. Another hike from Lavin leads via Plan dal Bügl and Chamonna dal Linard to the Glims lakes.

More Options and Getting There

The Susch – Alp Zeznina Dadaint – Lavin – Susch cycling tour returns via Zeznina Dadora, las Charbuneras and Plans in Lavin. It combines gentle sections and more challenging climbs on unpaved roads; conditions vary by season. For a local culinary stop, Bäckerei Konditorei Giacometti offers Engadine specialities, fresh pastries, homemade breads and wood-fired pizza.

Lavin is served hourly by Rhaetian Railway trains from Zernez or Scuol. Check the timetable before setting off. This lets you combine your travel arrangements with the cultural sites and routes that interest you.

Discover more destinations: Schleins, Samnaun, Valcava, Ardez, Sta. Maria Val Müstair, Ftan, Guarda, Susch

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