Famous Resorts & Tourist Attractions – Graubünden – Citizenship Test
Graubünden is Switzerland's tourism paradise - home to world-famous resorts that invented winter tourism and host global events. St. Moritz, the playground of the rich and famous, twice hosted the Win…
Graubünden is Switzerland's tourism paradise - home to world-famous resorts that invented winter tourism and host global events. St. Moritz, the playground of the rich and famous, twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Davos transforms each January when world leaders gather for the World Economic Forum. The Bernina Express railway carries visitors through UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, while the Swiss National Park protects pristine Alpine wilderness. From luxury hotels to untouched nature, Graubünden offers both glamour and authenticity.
St. Moritz - Luxury Resort
Overview:
- Population: ~3'000 (small town, big reputation)
- Elevation: 1'856m - high Alpine resort
- Located in Upper Engadine valley
- Pioneered winter tourism in Switzerland (1860s)
Winter Olympics - Twice!:
- 1928 - First Winter Olympics in the Alps
- 1948 - Hosted again 20 years later
- Put St. Moritz on world map
- Olympic venues still used today
Famous Attractions:
- Cresta Run (built 1885) - historic toboggan track
- Head-first skeleton sledding
- Reaches speeds up to 130 km/h
- Only men can ride (tradition)
- White Turf - horse racing on frozen lake
- February event on St. Moritz Lake
- Horses race on ice
- Social highlight of winter season
- Frozen lake - skating, curling, events
Summer Resort:
- Hiking and climbing
- Lake activities
- Cultural festivals
- Challenging golf courses
Davos - World Economic Forum Host
Overview:
- Population: ~11'000
- Highest town in Europe (1'560m elevation)
- Located in Prättigau/Davos valley
- Major ski resort and conference center
World Economic Forum (WEF):
- Annual January meeting in Davos
- Global leaders, CEOs, economists gather
- Discuss world economic and social issues
- International media attention
- Security lockdown during event
- Puts Davos on world map beyond skiing
Tourism:
- Large ski area (Jakobshorn, Parsenn)
- Connected to Klosters resort
- Family-friendly skiing
- Mountain activities year-round
Health Resort History:
- Originally a sanatorium town (late 1800s)
- Tuberculosis treatment center
- Fresh Alpine air considered healing
- Thomas Mann wrote novel "The Magic Mountain" about Davos
Bernina Express - UNESCO Railway
UNESCO World Heritage Railway:
- Chur to Tirano, Italy (4 hours)
- Part of Rhaetian Railway (RhB) network
- Spectacular Alpine railway journey
Why UNESCO?:
- Highest railway crossing in Alps without tunnel
- Crosses Bernina Pass at 2'253m
- Iconic Landwasser Viaduct (65m high, curved)
- Dramatic spiral tunnels through mountains
- Glaciers visible from panoramic windows
- Engineering masterpiece of early 20th century
Route Highlights:
- Crosses 196 bridges
- Goes through 55 tunnels
- Gradient up to 7% (steep for railways!)
- Year-round operation
Tourist Attraction:
- One of world's most beautiful train rides
- Panoramic train cars with large windows
- Major tourist attraction for Graubünden
- Connects to other scenic routes (Glacier Express)
Swiss National Park
Founded 1914 - Oldest national park in the Alps:
- Located in Lower Engadine/Val Müstair
- Area: 170 km² - largest protected area in Switzerland
- Strict nature reserve - no human interference
- No forestry, no hunting, no development
- Nature allowed to evolve freely
Wildlife:
- Ibex (Alpine mountain goat) - symbol of park
- Chamois, red deer, marmots
- Golden eagles, bearded vultures
- Successful species recovery stories
Visitor Experience:
- Marked hiking trails only
- No camping, no fires, stay on paths
- Visitor center in Zernez
- Educational programs
- Day hikes popular
- Strict rules protect wilderness
Significance:
- Model of Alpine conservation
- Research site for scientists
- UNESCO biosphere reserve (part of larger area)
St. Moritz pioneered winter tourism in the 1860s - before most people even thought about skiing for fun! A hotel owner bet guests that they would enjoy winter in the mountains, and he was right. The first tourists arrived for health reasons (fresh Alpine air), but stayed for the sports and social scene. Over 150 years later, St. Moritz is still the place to see and be seen in the Alps!
The Landwasser Viaduct on the Bernina Express route is an engineering marvel! Built in 1901-1902, this 65-meter high curved stone viaduct has no pillars supporting it in the middle - it spans the entire valley with a single 42-meter high arch. The train travels along the top of this dramatic curve, and passengers can look straight down into the valley below through the windows. It's one of the most photographed railway structures in the world!
Remember Graubünden tourism: St. Moritz (1'856m, Olympics 1928/1948, Cresta Run 1885, White Turf horse racing, pioneered winter tourism), Davos (1'560m highest town, WEF January, ~11k, former sanatorium), Bernina Express UNESCO (Chur-Tirano, 2'253m Bernina Pass, Landwasser Viaduct, spiral tunnels, 196 bridges, 55 tunnels), Swiss National Park 1914 (170 km², oldest in Alps, Zernez, ibex, strict rules), Glacier Express (St. Moritz-Zermatt, slowest express). World-famous Alpine paradise!