Panopticum
Welcome to the Panopticum, an ideal place to relax and view Pontresina from a unique perspective. Panopticum means something akin to “view of everything” (Greek pãn = all, total; and optikós = related to vision). The Panopticum offers a stunning panoramic view of the long ribbon village of Pontresina – the perfect spot in which to explore and discover some exciting facts about it. Rest for a while and take a seat. The names of different districts and sights are written on the various bench blocks; if you line up the obelisk in the centre, your gaze will be directed to the corresponding place.
Giarsun District
Pontresina originally consisted of four settlements, Laret, San Spiert, and, in the upper area, Carlihof and Giarsun. There is also Bernina Suot on the Bernina Pass (Bernina houses). The village districts, now merged into a single ribbon village, used to be separated by two mountain streams. The walk that takes you past charming Engadine houses up to the mountain church of St. Mary along the steep Via Giarsun is particularly enjoyable.
Alp Languard
This mountain restaurant is a great destination for an excursion and is often the starting point for panoramic hikes and mountain tours in the ibex paradise of Pontresina. You can get to the Alp Languard by the chairlift or on foot via the “Röntgenweg” path, named after Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. The Nobel Prize winner was a regular guest in Pontresina for decades.
Tuor Spagnola
The castle tower “Spaniola” (as the name is pronounced) has nothing to do with Spain. The name caused confusion for a long time. It was thought that the tower was built by the Saracens, who advanced as far as Graubünden in the 10th century. However, the pentagonal tower was not actually built until around 1210.
Baselgia Sta. Maria
The little mountain church is dedicated to Mary Magdalene and today serves primarily as a municipal funeral church. The romantically situated church houses medieval frescoes and is one of the most valued religious buildings in Graubünden. Pontresina Tourismus offers regular guided tours.
San Spiert District
The San Spiert neighbourhood is adorned by several stately and well-preserved Engadine houses. Worthy of mention is the Chesa Aebli, where the remains of a former chapel were found, dedicated to the Holy Spirit – and the origin of the name of this district in the village centre.
Rock Glacier Foura da l’And’Ursina
Pontresina is a pioneering municipality when it comes to dealing with permafrost and natural hazards. Long-term observations have been conducted for the Foura da l'And'Ursina rock glacier since the 1990s. Movement and temperatures in the permafrost are closely monitored.
Baselgia San Spiert
The Catholic church of San Spiert (the Holy Spirit) was built in 1923 near the former chapel of the same name (see San Spiert district). The Reformation reached Pontresina in 1549, with Roman Catholic masses celebrated again since 1891. Fun fact: Pontresina's casino (Casino Tais) used to stand on the same site.
Via Maistra Promenade
The Via Maistra is home to a selection of shops, hotels and restaurants. Bars, cafés and the cinema can also be found here, along with the Museum Alpin, galleries and more. The longest promenade in the Engadine is also the setting for lively events such as the Laret market or Viva la Via.
Viaduct da Mulin
The Via da Mulin lies parallel to the Ova da Bernina whitewater gorge, crossing several viaduct arches. All along this road, visitors can enjoy several points of interest offering spectacular views of the gorge including the canyon skywalk, Telescop, Viaduct da Mulin and Scena da glatsch.
Giandains Safety Dam
The steep mountain slopes above Pontresina are home to numerous avalanche barriers, the first of which were built as early as 1882. The retaining dam above the village was another milestone in protecting Pontresina from avalanches and mudslides. It was completed in 2003.
Chamanna Segantini
Giovanni Segantini (1858-1899) was a master of mountain painting. He died on the Munt da la Bês-cha high above Pontresina while working on his famous Alpine Triptych. The mountain hut was named after him and is a popular hiking destination in the ibex paradise of Pontresina.
Crast’ota Sun Terrace
This popular plateau on the ibex promenade, with its benches and deckchairs, lies just a few metres above the village. As well as plenty of sunshine, this peaceful spot offers a magnificent panorama: the rooftops of Pontresina lie below you, with the glaciated mountain peaks of Val Roseg towering above the vast forests in the background.
Ibex Paradise Pontresina
A good 1,800 ibex and mountain goats live in the mountains directly above Pontresina, making this one of the largest colonies in the Alps. You can discover a multitude of interesting facts about Graubünden's heraldic animal on a free ibex tour, a walk along the ibex promenade, or at the ibex gallery on Alp Languard in the summer months.
Baselgia San Niculò
This baroque village church is located at the entrance to the district of Laret and was built in its current form in 1640. There must have been a church here before the Reformation, otherwise it is unlikely that the Protestant Reformed church would have been dedicated to St Nicholas.
Laret District
Narrow alleyways, old Engadine houses, and hotels from the Belle Époque – the district of Laret exudes a very special charm. The Laret markets, which originated here, have grown into vibrant summer festivals along the promenade.
Whitewater gorge Ova da Bernina
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