Bondo Gr: Village History, Architecture and Hiking Trails

In the lower Bergell, at the entrance to Val Bondasca, Bondo is a clustered village. The historic village centre lies south of the Mera on the Bondasca alluvial fan. Narrow, winding lanes characterise the village. Bondo was first mentioned in 1380 and was historically connected with Bergell, the Bishopric of Chur and the League of God’s House. The village’s history thus brings together its layout and buildings with a longer regional history.

Churches, Palazzo and art

The Romanesque village church of San Martino was consecrated in 1250. It is often used for concerts because of its outstanding acoustics. Guided tours of Chiesa San Martino are offered in German and Italian and last about 45 minutes. If a guided tour is important to your trip, check the arrangements in advance. Another church, Nossa Donna Castelmur, was first mentioned in 988; this early mention is a separate historical reference point in the history of the valley.

Palazzo Salis in Bondo was built between 1766 and 1776. The Milanese architect Francesco Corce built it for the diplomat and Count Hieronymus von Salis. The palazzo contains a Japanese studiolo with painted chinoiserie. The construction history of Casa Picenoni Cief unfolded in several stages: it was built as a residential tower in the 13th century, rebuilt after the fire of 1621, and a third section was added in the second half of the 18th century. The artist Varlin’s grave in the small cemetery is another specific cultural point of interest in Bondo.

You can also encounter art in temporary exhibitions. In summer, paintings by Ernesto Picenoni can be viewed at Osteria di Donato Salis; this seasonal display may change. Temporary exhibitions that are open to the public are occasionally held in the Crotti di Bondo area. Check before your trip whether an exhibition will be on during your stay.

Hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty

The Bondo–Castasegna–Soglio circular hike passes old stables, runs through forest and the Brentan chestnut grove, and goes through a tunnel cut into the rock near a waterfall. Its described points of interest bring built heritage and landscape together along one route. The Sciora Trail features several suspension bridges and requires sure-footedness and a very good level of physical fitness. There is a small car park behind Bondo’s village church at the start of this trail; availability may vary by season.

The route via Cugian is one way to access Capanna Sasc Furä CAS. An official notice dated 25 August 2026 reported that the new trail from Bondo to the hut was closed until further notice because of the risk of rockfall. Check the current situation before planning a hike. One section of the Via Bregaglia runs from Bondo to Promontogno, passing Chiesa San Martino and Molino Scartazzini. The route description thus offers another specific connection between named places and buildings, without indicating a walking time.

There is also advice for steep sections: if necessary, the stretches from Plazza to Soglio and from Soglio down to Promontogno can be bypassed by PostBus. If you plan to use this option, check the timetables before your trip. These sections provide a practical basis for comparison; they say nothing about other parts of the trail.

Village history and regional context

Since the Late Middle Ages, livestock farming in Bondo has followed a four-stage system of land use: village, field stable, Maiensäss and alp. Chestnut cultivation complemented this activity. In the wider area around Bondo, mountains and forests shape the landscape, while farmland and settlement areas occupy comparatively little space. The regional perspective helps you understand village history and landscape as different aspects of Bergell.

The chestnut tradition also belongs to the wider Bergell, not just the village itself. It includes chestnut cake, chestnut cream and dried chestnuts. Together with the history of the buildings, the churches and the trails described with their differing characteristics, this offers a varied perspective on Bondo: when planning your trip, you can take the historic village layout as your guide or distinguish between hikes by their routes and the requirements specifically mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Zuoz, Bever, Sils in Engadin, Bregaglia, La Punt-Chamues-Ch, Surlej, Castasegna, St. Moritz

For the main travel overview: Maloja.