Viamala
Encyclopedia
Viamala or Via Mala is an ancient and notorious section of the Hinterrhein
River between Zillis-Reischen
and Thusis
in the Canton of Graubünden. This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to the two mountain passes: the Splügen
asnd San Bernardino Pass
es.
instead of Splügen Pass. This was supported by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
, who forbade the local Count of Werdenberg to build a new path in 1359 in order to support the power of the loyal Bishop at Chur, controlling the route via Septimer Pass.
In 1473 the Count of Werdenberg allowed the municipalities and transport cooperative
s of Thusis, Masein and Cazis to rebuild the passage, then in desolate condition: die richstrass und den waeg entzwüschend Tusis und Schams, so man nempt Fyamala zuo howen, uffzuorichten und ze machen . The Roman part of the path built into the rock was renovated and the first bridge built of rock, Punt da Tgiern, was erected. The last part of the letter mentions that the cooperatives would be accountable for load, horses and also “chariot or sled” which indicates a high level of technical finishing. In the northern part of the gorge this new path did not follow the Roman path crossing to the right of the river but stayed on the left bank of the river. This led to many conflicts during the years as both villages at the respective ends of the path were fighting for their access and the resulting income. In 1665 Schams
was temporarily excluded from the Grey League
for supporting the path towards Fürstenau
, leading to non-Grey League territory.
built a complete new road during 1818–1821 including more tunnels connecting the three existing bridges. The access to the 1473 rock bridge Punt da Tgiern was destroyed in 1834, leaving the unhurt bridge useless and left for disintegration. In 1836 the new Rania Bridge was erected instead further north and is still being used today for the main road.
An additional bridge called Premoli Bridge was constructed in 1936 to relief the southern 1738 bridge which is still in place and can be crossed by foot. The northern bridge of 1738 was replaced two years later with no remains of it.
In 1958 a new northern part of the road to Rongellen was built using longer tunnels and in 1967 a new expressway was opened including San Bernardino Tunnel and year-round traffic (whereas both road passes were closed in winter). This road uses a 742 m long tunnel to avoid the narrow gorge and crosses the gorge on a long stretched bridge in its southern part. Finally the 1958-built part between Thusis and Rongellen was replaced by a 2171 m long tunnel called Crapteig in 1996.
To connect the visible remains of the Roman path, a bridge called Traversinersteg was erected in 1996 for pedestrians. This bridge was destroyed in 1999 and replaced by a (safer) bridge in 2005, which is at the same time a bridge as well as a stair.
Hinterrhein (river)
The Hinterrhein is one of the initial tributaries of the Rhine in the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland, flowing from the village Hinterrhein near the San Bernardino pass through the Rheinwald valley into a gorge called Roflaschlucht...
River between Zillis-Reischen
Zillis-Reischen
Zillis-Reischen is a municipality in the district of Hinterrhein in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-History:Zillis-Reischen was created in 1875 with the union of the previously independent municipalities of Reischen and Zillis. Zillis was first mentioned in the first half of the 9th Century as...
and Thusis
Thusis
Thusis is a municipality in the district of Hinterrhein in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-Geography:Thusis has an area, , of . Of this area, 18% is used for agricultural purposes, while 58.2% is forested...
in the Canton of Graubünden. This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to the two mountain passes: the Splügen
Splügen Pass
The Splügen Pass is a high mountain pass which marks the boundary between the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps....
asnd San Bernardino Pass
San Bernardino Pass
San Bernardino Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the Hinterrhein and the Mesolcina valleys between Thusis and Bellinzona . Located in the far eastern side of the Western Alps it is not to be confused with the Great St. Bernard Pass and the Little St. Bernard Pass...
es.
1473 Viamala letter of intent
During this period more and more of the transit traffic (vital for the region) was conducted via Septimer PassSeptimer Pass
Septimer Pass is a high mountain pass in the canton of Graubünden in the Swiss Alps between the valleys of Bregaglia and Oberhalbstein ....
instead of Splügen Pass. This was supported by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
, who forbade the local Count of Werdenberg to build a new path in 1359 in order to support the power of the loyal Bishop at Chur, controlling the route via Septimer Pass.
In 1473 the Count of Werdenberg allowed the municipalities and transport cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
s of Thusis, Masein and Cazis to rebuild the passage, then in desolate condition: die richstrass und den waeg entzwüschend Tusis und Schams, so man nempt Fyamala zuo howen, uffzuorichten und ze machen . The Roman part of the path built into the rock was renovated and the first bridge built of rock, Punt da Tgiern, was erected. The last part of the letter mentions that the cooperatives would be accountable for load, horses and also “chariot or sled” which indicates a high level of technical finishing. In the northern part of the gorge this new path did not follow the Roman path crossing to the right of the river but stayed on the left bank of the river. This led to many conflicts during the years as both villages at the respective ends of the path were fighting for their access and the resulting income. In 1665 Schams
Schams
thumb | The Schams north of [[Andeer]]. In the top left, the ruins of [[Cagliatscha Castle]]The Schams is a section of the Hinterrhein valley in the Swiss Canton of Graubünden.- Geography :...
was temporarily excluded from the Grey League
Grey League
The Grey League , sometimes called Oberbund, formed in 1395 in the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein valleys, Raetia. The name Grey League is derived from the homespun grey clothes worn by the people. The league became part of the canton of Graubünden. The Grey League allied itself to the two other...
for supporting the path towards Fürstenau
Fürstenau
Fürstenau may refer to:*Fürstenau, Germany, a city in Lower Saxony, Germany*Fürstenau , a municipality in the district of Osnabrück, in Lower Saxony, Germany*Fürstenau a quarter in Altenberg, Germany...
, leading to non-Grey League territory.
Modern era
During 1738–1739 two bridges were built, to twice cross the river and avoid the worst part of the Roman path via the right bank of the river. Later, state engineer Richard La NiccaRichard La Nicca
Richard La Nicca, was an engineer and Protestant, originating from Sarn and Chur. Son of Christian, pastor of Safien, Neukirch and Tenna, and Anna born Gredig. He was born in Safien-Neukirch, and died in Chur....
built a complete new road during 1818–1821 including more tunnels connecting the three existing bridges. The access to the 1473 rock bridge Punt da Tgiern was destroyed in 1834, leaving the unhurt bridge useless and left for disintegration. In 1836 the new Rania Bridge was erected instead further north and is still being used today for the main road.
An additional bridge called Premoli Bridge was constructed in 1936 to relief the southern 1738 bridge which is still in place and can be crossed by foot. The northern bridge of 1738 was replaced two years later with no remains of it.
In 1958 a new northern part of the road to Rongellen was built using longer tunnels and in 1967 a new expressway was opened including San Bernardino Tunnel and year-round traffic (whereas both road passes were closed in winter). This road uses a 742 m long tunnel to avoid the narrow gorge and crosses the gorge on a long stretched bridge in its southern part. Finally the 1958-built part between Thusis and Rongellen was replaced by a 2171 m long tunnel called Crapteig in 1996.
To connect the visible remains of the Roman path, a bridge called Traversinersteg was erected in 1996 for pedestrians. This bridge was destroyed in 1999 and replaced by a (safer) bridge in 2005, which is at the same time a bridge as well as a stair.
Literature
- Armon Planta: Verkehrswege im alten Rätien Band 4. Verlag Bündner Monatsblatt, Chur 1990. ISBN 3-905241-06-4
- Friedrich Pieth: Bündnergeschichte. 2. Auflage. Verlag F. Schuler, Chur 1982. ISBN 3-85894-002-X
See also
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes