Savognin
Encyclopedia
Savognin is a municipality
in the district of Albula
in the canton
of Graubünden
in Switzerland
.
The stately town, the main community of Oberhalbstein (or Surses) valley, is a foreign tourist destination in both summer and winter. The official language is the Romansh dialect Surmiran
.
An important Bronze Age
settlement is located on the Padnal hill to the south of town. In multiple excavations, many discoveries have been made, mostly from the period between 1800 and 1000 B.C.
At least since the time of the Romans
, important travel routes have passed through the Julier
and Septimer
passes. Savognin came into the possession of the Bishops of Chur
in the 13th century. As part of the court of Oberhalbstein, for which Savognin acted as principal town and rural area, the town became a member of the League of God's House
. After its sale in 1552, the valley attained full sovereignty as part of the Free State of the Three Leagues
.
The cattle industry and traffic through the passes formed the economic framework of the community since the Middle Ages. Periods of increase, for example, after Mount Crap Ses was blown up in 1777, or when the Julier Road was improved between 1820 and 1840, were always followed by periods of decrease, most recently from too much competition after the opening of the Gotthardbahn
in 1882. At this stage Savognin was thrown back to being a peasants' village, and missed the next connection to the development of tourism. Jenische families were granted citizenship in the middle of the 19th century, as part of the Law for the fight against Homelessness. The ascent to foreign vacation destination began only in the 1960s, with the construction of hotels, vacation apartments and aerial ropeways (Piz Martegnas
); the village was changing.
The municipality is located in the Surses sub-district of the Albula district. Savognin lies in a wide depression called Sotgôt, which forms the lower part of the Surses valley (also called Oberhalbstein).
The municipal area includes a piece of the main valley between Mount Piz Arblatsch
(elev. 3203m, highest point in the municipality) in the southwest and Mount Piz Mitgel
(elev. 3159m) in the northeast. As the three old churches indicate, the town was developed in multiple centers: by the river Julia, on the plain rising toward the left hand slope, and along the elevated main road on the right hand slope. The strong construction between 1965 and 1975 filled in the spaces between these village parts, and extended the developed area on the right side of the valley.
Neighboring municipalities are Cunter
, Tiefencastel
, Filisur
, Tinizong-Rona
, Mulegns
, and Riom-Parsonz
.
Until about 1960, the municipality consisted of five distinct villages which were scattered along the course of the Julia river. The five villages were; Son Mitgel, Naloz, Sot Curt, Sur Curt and Sur Tocf. Until 1890 Savognin was known as Schweiningen.
, the gender distribution of the population was 55.0% male and 45.0% female. The age distribution, , in Savognin is; 49 people or 15.9% of the population are between 0 to 9 years old. 29 people or 9.4% are 10 to 14, and 14 people or 4.5% are 15 to 19. Of the adult population, 24 people or 7.8% of the population are between 20 to 29 years old. 37 people or 12.0% are 30 to 39, 39 people or 12.7% are 40 to 49, and 36 people or 11.7% are 50 to 59. The senior population distribution is 30 people or 9.7% of the population are between 60 to 69 years old, 28 people or 9.1% are 70 to 79, there are 18 people or 5.8% who are 80 to 89, and there are 4 people or 1.3% who are 90 to 99.
In the 2007 federal election
the most popular party was the CVP
which received 38.8% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP
(26%), the FDP
(18.7%) and the SPS
(15.8%).
In Savognin about 66.6% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule
).
The historical population is given in the following table:
The coat of arms symbolizes the location along the river and the three churches of the town.
Savognin is one Highway 3, which goes from Chur to Engadin via Lenzerheide and the Julier pass. A post route also follows this highway. Most trips end in Bivio
, some drive on to St. Moritz
. An additional post route connects the nearby villages of Riom, Parsonz, and Salouf.
Savognin has an unemployment rate of 0.75%. , there were 71 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 29 businesses involved in this sector. 146 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 21 businesses in this sector. 392 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 64 businesses in this sector.
settlement) are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance
.
period.
as well as stately citizens' homes, such as the Peterelli House on the main street, and the Amilcar House near the parish church, with its south-German-influenced half-timbered style. The Julia bridge in the community of Sot Curt is from 1682. A regional museum was established in a 16th century farmhouse in 1982.
lived in Savognin between 1886 and 1894, and developed his style there. He is famous for his landscapes with Mounts Piz Curver and Piz Tiossa in the background.
. The wettest month is August during which time Savognin receives an average of 117 mm (4.6 in) of precipitation. During this month there is precipitation for an average of 11.8 days. The driest month of the year is February with an average of 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over 11.8 days.
Municipalities of Switzerland
Communes , also known as municipalities, are the smallest government division in Switzerland, numbering 2,596 . While many have a population of a few hundred citizens, the largest cities such as Zürich or Geneva also have the legal status of municipalities...
in the district of Albula
Albula (district)
Albula District is one of the eleven administrative districts in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It has an area of 723.13 km² and has a population of ....
in the canton
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Graubünden
Graubünden
Graubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
The stately town, the main community of Oberhalbstein (or Surses) valley, is a foreign tourist destination in both summer and winter. The official language is the Romansh dialect Surmiran
Surmiran
Sursilvan is a group of dialects of the Romansh language. It is spoken in Surmeira and in the Albula Valley in Switzerland.-The "Hail Mary" in Surmiran:...
.
History
Savognin is first mentioned in 1154 as Sueningin.An important Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
settlement is located on the Padnal hill to the south of town. In multiple excavations, many discoveries have been made, mostly from the period between 1800 and 1000 B.C.
At least since the time of the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, important travel routes have passed through the Julier
Julier Pass
The Julier Pass is a mountain pass in Switzerland, in the Albula Range of the Alps. It connects the Engadin valley with the rest of Graubünden...
and Septimer
Septimer Pass
Septimer Pass is a high mountain pass in the canton of Graubünden in the Swiss Alps between the valleys of Bregaglia and Oberhalbstein ....
passes. Savognin came into the possession of the Bishops of Chur
Chur
Chur or Coire is the capital of the Swiss canton of Graubünden and lies in the northern part of the canton.-History:The name "chur" derives perhaps from the Celtic kora or koria, meaning "tribe", or from the Latin curia....
in the 13th century. As part of the court of Oberhalbstein, for which Savognin acted as principal town and rural area, the town became a member of the League of God's House
League of God's House
The League of God's House was formed in what is now Switzerland on January 29, 1367 to resist the rising power of the Bishopric of Chur and the House of Habsburg. The League allied with the Grey League and the League of the Ten Jurisdictions in 1471 to form the Three Leagues...
. After its sale in 1552, the valley attained full sovereignty as part of the Free State of the Three Leagues
Three Leagues
The Three Leagues was the alliance of 1471 of the League of God's House, the League of the Ten Jurisdictions and the Grey League, leading eventually to the formation of the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Most of the lands of Graubünden were part of the Roman province Raetia in 15 BC...
.
The cattle industry and traffic through the passes formed the economic framework of the community since the Middle Ages. Periods of increase, for example, after Mount Crap Ses was blown up in 1777, or when the Julier Road was improved between 1820 and 1840, were always followed by periods of decrease, most recently from too much competition after the opening of the Gotthardbahn
Gotthardbahn
Gotthardbahn was the name of a private Swiss railway company which operated the railway line from Immensee to Chiasso . Nowadays this term usually does not refer to that company, but to the railway line itself...
in 1882. At this stage Savognin was thrown back to being a peasants' village, and missed the next connection to the development of tourism. Jenische families were granted citizenship in the middle of the 19th century, as part of the Law for the fight against Homelessness. The ascent to foreign vacation destination began only in the 1960s, with the construction of hotels, vacation apartments and aerial ropeways (Piz Martegnas
Piz Martegnas
Piz Martegnas is a mountain in the Oberhalbstein Range, located in Graubünden, Switzerland.-External links:*...
); the village was changing.
Geography
Savognin has an area, , of 22.2 km² (8.6 sq mi). Of this area, 32.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 36.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 3% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (28.2%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).The municipality is located in the Surses sub-district of the Albula district. Savognin lies in a wide depression called Sotgôt, which forms the lower part of the Surses valley (also called Oberhalbstein).
The municipal area includes a piece of the main valley between Mount Piz Arblatsch
Piz Arblatsch
Piz Arblatsch is a mountain in the Oberhalbstein Range of the Swiss Alps, located in the canton of Graubünden.-External links:*...
(elev. 3203m, highest point in the municipality) in the southwest and Mount Piz Mitgel
Piz Mitgel
Piz Mitgel is a mountain in the Albula Range, located in Graubünden, Switzerland.-External links:*...
(elev. 3159m) in the northeast. As the three old churches indicate, the town was developed in multiple centers: by the river Julia, on the plain rising toward the left hand slope, and along the elevated main road on the right hand slope. The strong construction between 1965 and 1975 filled in the spaces between these village parts, and extended the developed area on the right side of the valley.
Neighboring municipalities are Cunter
Cunter
Cunter is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-Geography:...
, Tiefencastel
Tiefencastel
Tiefencastel is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-History:Tiefencastel is first mentioned in 831 as in Castello Impitinis. Starting around in the 14th Century it was known as Tüffenkasten.-Geography:Tiefencastel has an area, , of...
, Filisur
Filisur
Filisur is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-History:Filisur is first mentioned in 1262 as villa Fallisour.-Geography:...
, Tinizong-Rona
Tinizong-Rona
Tinizong-Rona is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It was formed in 1998 from the communes of Tinizongand Rona. The local administration is situated in Tinizong.-History:...
, Mulegns
Mulegns
Mulegns is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-History:Around 600-500 BC, a copper mine and smelter were built in the Val Faller near modern Mulegns. The village was founded by a Walser group during the 15th Century. It was first mentioned in...
, and Riom-Parsonz
Riom-Parsonz
Riom-Parsonz is a municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It was created from the 1979 union of the municipalities of Parsonz and Riom.-History:...
.
Until about 1960, the municipality consisted of five distinct villages which were scattered along the course of the Julia river. The five villages were; Son Mitgel, Naloz, Sot Curt, Sur Curt and Sur Tocf. Until 1890 Savognin was known as Schweiningen.
Demographics
Savognin has a population (as of ) of . , 14.3% of the population was made up of foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -2.8%., the gender distribution of the population was 55.0% male and 45.0% female. The age distribution, , in Savognin is; 49 people or 15.9% of the population are between 0 to 9 years old. 29 people or 9.4% are 10 to 14, and 14 people or 4.5% are 15 to 19. Of the adult population, 24 people or 7.8% of the population are between 20 to 29 years old. 37 people or 12.0% are 30 to 39, 39 people or 12.7% are 40 to 49, and 36 people or 11.7% are 50 to 59. The senior population distribution is 30 people or 9.7% of the population are between 60 to 69 years old, 28 people or 9.1% are 70 to 79, there are 18 people or 5.8% who are 80 to 89, and there are 4 people or 1.3% who are 90 to 99.
In the 2007 federal election
Swiss federal election, 2007
Elections to the Swiss Federal Assembly, the federal parliament of Switzerland, were held on Sunday, 21 October 2007. In a few cantons, a second round of the elections to the Council of States was held on 11 November, 18 November, and 25 November 2007...
the most popular party was the CVP
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
which received 38.8% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
(26%), the FDP
Free Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Free Democratic Party was a classical liberal political party in Switzerland. It was one of the major parties in Switzerland until its merger with the smaller classical liberal Liberal Party, to form FDP.The Liberals on 1 January 2009....
(18.7%) and the SPS
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
(15.8%).
In Savognin about 66.6% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule
Fachhochschule
A Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences is a German type of tertiary education institution, sometimes specialized in certain topical areas . Fachhochschulen were founded in Germany and later adopted by Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Greece...
).
The historical population is given in the following table:
| year | population |
|---|---|
| 1643 | 430 |
| 1710 | 530 |
| 1802 | 365 |
| 1850 | 469 |
| 1900 | 444 |
| 1960 | 632 |
| 1970 | 820 |
| 1980 | 852 |
| 1990 | 877 |
| 2000 | 477 |
| 2004 | 957 |
Coat of arms
Blazon: Red, sectioned by a silver-bordered blue river-strip, in the upper portion, two silver bells, in the lower, one.The coat of arms symbolizes the location along the river and the three churches of the town.
Languages
Most of the population speaks Romansh (53.1%), with German being second most common (36.6%) and Italian being third ( 3.6%).| Languages in Savognin | ||||||
| Languages | Census 1980 | Census 1990 | Census 2000 | |||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |
| German | 212 | 24.88 % | 274 | 31.24 % | 323 | 36.62 % |
| Romanish | 562 | 65.96 % | 546 | 62.26 % | 468 | 53.06 % |
| Italian Italian language Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia... |
42 | 4.93 % | 25 | 2.85 % | 32 | 3.63 % |
| Population | 852 | 100 % | 877 | 100 % | 882 | 100 % |
Economy and Transportation
As seat of the district administration, district hospital, and secondary school, Savognin forms the center of the valley. The most important sector is tourism; in one year about 200,000 rooms are let. The ski areas on Mounts Piz Martegnas and Val Nandro are accessible by mulitiple aerial lifts.Savognin is one Highway 3, which goes from Chur to Engadin via Lenzerheide and the Julier pass. A post route also follows this highway. Most trips end in Bivio
Bivio
Bivio is a municipality in the district of Albula of the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-History:Bivio is first mentioned about 840 as de stabulo Bivio. At one time it was known, in German, as Stallen and until 1895/1903 by its Italian name Stalla.-Geography:Bivio has an area, , of...
, some drive on to St. Moritz
St. Moritz
St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland. It is a municipality in the district of Maloja in the Swiss canton of Graubünden...
. An additional post route connects the nearby villages of Riom, Parsonz, and Salouf.
Savognin has an unemployment rate of 0.75%. , there were 71 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 29 businesses involved in this sector. 146 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 21 businesses in this sector. 392 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 64 businesses in this sector.
Heritage sites of national significance
The Son Martegn church and the Padnal/Mot la Cresta (a bronze ageBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
settlement) are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance
Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance
The Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance is a register of some 8,300 items of cultural property in Switzerland...
.
Tourist attractions
Savognin has three Catholic churches of the BaroqueBaroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
period.
- Parish church Nossadonna, built 1643; has additional GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
features. - Church Son Martegn, built in 1677 in the Central Form style, with a cross-shaped base. Has a monumental fresco painted in 1681 by Carlo Nuvolone from MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. - Church Son Mitgel, built in 1663, an eight-sided Central Form building with an older steeple, altars from 1693–94,
as well as stately citizens' homes, such as the Peterelli House on the main street, and the Amilcar House near the parish church, with its south-German-influenced half-timbered style. The Julia bridge in the community of Sot Curt is from 1682. A regional museum was established in a 16th century farmhouse in 1982.
Notable residents
The Italian painter Giovanni SegantiniGiovanni Segantini
Giovanni Segantini was an Italian painter known for his large pastoral landscapes of the Alps. He was one of the most famous artists in Europe in the late 19th century, and his paintings were collected by major museums. In later life he combined a Divisionist painting style with Symbolist images...
lived in Savognin between 1886 and 1894, and developed his style there. He is famous for his landscapes with Mounts Piz Curver and Piz Tiossa in the background.
Weather
Savognin has an average of 104.3 days of rain per year and on average receives 917 mm (36.1 in) of precipitationPrecipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
. The wettest month is August during which time Savognin receives an average of 117 mm (4.6 in) of precipitation. During this month there is precipitation for an average of 11.8 days. The driest month of the year is February with an average of 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over 11.8 days.