Soazza
Intro
The village of Soazza in the canton of Graubünden is situated on a sloped terrace amid steep, densely forested, craggy mountain slopes in the Italian-speaking Valle Mesolcina, a north-south oriented valley between Bellinzona and the San Bernardino Pass.
The pretty laneways in the village have all the elegance of a city in places, while elsewhere, they are filled with rustic, rural mountain charm. The high street, or Hauptgasse, is lined with tall, sometimes elegant townhouses dating back to the 19th century. However, in the areas above and below this main axis, Soazza has retained much of its rustic character. Here, you will find small, stone-clad cottages, prominently interspersed with stately buildings of importance, such as the Palazzo à Marca or – above the town centre on the edge of the forest – the 17th century hospice, which was once the seat of the Capuchin mission.
The biggest attraction in the village is the Parish Church of San Martino, enthroned on a hill above the village and boasting wonderful views. The church contains a number of valuable works of art, including its “Vedani” organ. However, the hiking trail along the railway line between Mesocco and Boffalora is also worth the trip. The route leads along the disused railway line through superb landscapes, over bridges and through tunnels.
ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.
