The Grand Tour to the Archaeology of mountainous landscapes (5-days)

31 August - 4 September

Description

This five-day excursion leads through the famous Swiss mountainous canton of Graubünden and offers exciting insights into all areas of alpine archaeology from the Middle Stone Age to the 20th century. Visits include the cantonal capital Chur with its Rhaetian Museum, the prehistoric settlement- and the mining-landscape of Oberhalbstein, the alpine pass areas with relics of the Roman campaign in the Alpes and the famous Bronze Age spring of St. Moritz. Other highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Monastery Saint John in Müstair, the remains of the Alpine front during the First World War in the Stelvio-Umbrail region and the Lower Engadin with its millennia-old alpine cultural landscape. Participants will be guided by Thomas Reitmaier, archaeologist and director of the Archaeological Service of the canton of Graubünden.

Requirements

Good physical condition and sure-footedness for tours in alpine terrain; appropriate equipment (shoes – warm clothing). Participants must book and pay their train tickets to and from Chur. For promotional train tickets, the “supersaver tickets” are very interesting: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/supersaver-tickets.html.

Capacity:

5 - 14/16 people

Price:

810 EUR (includes 4 nights with breakfast in a hotel, bus, all lunches and dinners, guide and tickets to all visits in Graubünden)

Transportation:

mini-bus

Meeting Point

Chur train station, 12:00

Approximate schedule

Saturday 31.08.2019: Participants meet at noon (12:00) in Chur train station. Introduction lecture by Dr. Thomas Reitmaier; Chur city tour, including Roman excavations in the Ackermann area and the late ancient burial church St. Stephan; Rhaetian museum and reception; overnight stay in Chur.

Sunday 01.09.2019: Continuation of the journey to Oberhalbstein - Prehistoric settlement- and mining-landscape (Motta-Vallac, Savognin-Padnal); Julier(-Septimer) pass, Roman Alpine military campaign; Bronze Age fountain of St. Moritz-Bad. Overnight stay in St. Moritz/Oberengadin.

Monday 02.09.2019: Onward journey through the Engadine via Ofenpass into Val Müstair - tour Stilfserjoch-Umbrail (World War I fortifications); followed by UNESCO World Heritage Monastery St. Johann, Müstair and building yard; overnight stay in Müstair or close to the border in South Tyrol.

Tuesday 03.09.2019: Onward journey Vinschgau-Reschenpass to the Lower Engadine; settlement landscape Lower Engadine, Ramosch-Mottata, Scuol and Ardez-Ftan - hike in the alpine region, prehistoric alpine economy - tasting of alpine cheese and dried meat; mill of Ftan; overnight stay in Ftan, cosy ending (barbecue).

Wednesday 04.09.2019: Return journey via Prättigau to Landquart/Chur. Departure from Landquart/Chur for Bern (at your own costs).


© Archaeological Service of the canton of Graubünden

© Archaeological Service of the canton of Graubünden

© Archaeological Service of the canton of Graubünden

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