ValsHistory

Prehistoric evidence shows that during the Bronze and Iron Ages, an important alpine trade route led from Ilanz over the Valserberg and Bernhardin Pass southwards into Ticino. However, permanent settlement of the valley floor in Vals did not begin until the 11th and 12th centuries, with Romansh-speaking settlers from the front Lugnez.

During around 1300, German-speaking settlers from Valais moved into the valley. This was no coincidence; the Rhaetian territorial rulers were eager to open up new economic areas. These “Walser” settlers soon became the majority.

Freight Transport

Until the construction of the road to Ilanz in 1879-80, all goods transport to the south ran over the Valserberg to Hinterrhein. The Valser mountain porters, who famously carried heavy loads over the mountain primarily in winter, became legendary. The Valser also drove livestock over the “mountain” to Bellenz (Bellinzona) and Lauis (Lugano) to the markets in the south.

Natural Forces

Landslides, debris flows and floods have repeatedly struck Vals. Records of avalanches date back to 1598. There was also a devastating flood in 1868 that inundated the entire valley floor and destroyed parts of the settlement. After this disaster, the villagers even considered emigrating en masse to America.Vals suffered its worst disaster on 20 January 1951, when avalanches from the left side of the valley buried 34 people; 19 of them, including 14 children, tragically lost their lives under the snow and debris. The municipality of Vals, with the support of the federal government and the canton, has made considerable efforts to reduce the risk of avalanches. A total of CHF 21.5 million has been invested in reforestation and protective structures.

Therme Vals

In 1891 the hot mineral spring was tapped and in the summer of 1893 the “Kurhaus Therme” with 60 beds and a bathhouse was opened. This led to modest economic growth in Vals. The 60-year history of the “old spa” was marked by the economic ups and downs of the period before the First World War, the inter-war period with the Great Depression and the Second World War.

In 1960, Kurt Vorlop, a German mineral water specialist, bought the Kurhaus and the springs. He initially built a small bottling plant and sold the water in litre bottles. In 1962, Vorlop began building a new spa centre. The facility included a complex with an indoor thermal mineral pool, a wave pool, spa facilities, hotel facilities and 345 spa apartments sold to private individuals. The centre opened in May 1970.

Zervreila Power Plant

The real turning point in the middle of the 20th century was the construction of the dam at the bottom of the Zerfreila valley. The construction of the power station (1951-58) provided a major source of income. The influx of concession fees, water rates and new taxes enabled the municipality to fulfil long-overdue tasks. Nevertheless, Vals remained a farming village in the 1950s, with 50% of the working population still employed in agriculture.

Winter Tourism

The Vals-Dachberg ski resort was opened in 1975. The municipality made a significant contribution to the investment. With the advent of winter tourism, the community made further progress. With the opening of the extension in 1996, Dachberg became one of the three highest ski resorts in the Grisons. The panorama is equally impressive: from the Eastern Alps to the Bernina massif and the great four-thousand-metre peaks of the Valais.

The new Therme Vals

Concerned about the future of the spa, the municipality bought the spa hotel from the then Swiss Bank Corporation in 1983. With the aim of creating well-being in a wild, rugged mountain valley, the municipality finally commissioned architect Peter Zumthor to design a new spa for around 25 million Swiss francs. It opened on 14 December 1996. The number of visitors has exceeded all expectations.