Soglio, pure poetry

Time travel to a sun terrace with spectacular views

 

Arriving in Soglio feels like a dream. Is it the old palazzi, houses and stables from many different centuries? Or the view of Val Bondasca, with its pointed, impressive peaks above 3000 meters, most of which are covered in snow? Or the chestnut and fruit trees at almost 1100 meters and the well-tended gardens? Or the harsh contrasts between the view of the high mountains and the smoothness of a gentle cultural landscape?

The old mountain village of Soglio has many faces. At its heart are the mansions of the de Salis family. The oldest dates back to the 14th century and today houses the B&B Pension Piazza. The "younger" ones still date from the 17th/18th century, including Casa Mezzo (1696) and Casa Battista (1701), which has been an inn since 1876 and still serves guests under the name Palazzo Salis. Many other houses and stables huddle together in Soglio like a bird's nest.

At the same time Soglio is spoiled by the sun, creating an unusual flora, which needs to be well protected from fresh breezes by old walls. Below, the chestnut groves begin - a cultivated plant that was brought to Val Bregaglia by the Romans and cultivated there. Soglio is climatically on a threshold (and perhaps also on the "threshold to paradise", as the painter Giovanni Segantini once said).

The arrival in Soglio on foot is particularly beautiful: here ends the Sentiero Panoramico, which leads on southern slopes from the alpine Casaccia down to Soglio. Impressive paths lead up to Soglio's mountain pastures such as Dair (to the west) or Tombal, Plän Vest and Cadrin (to the northeast). From here you can even start the crossing via Pass da la Duana (2697m altitude) into the Avers-valley. Or you might want to descend comfortably to Castasegna, the last village before the border with Italy.

It is also interesting to see how in Soglio tradition is combined with modernity. The architect Armando Ruinelli, for example, has given old buildings such as stables completely new functions, but he has also created new buildings that elegantly fit into the picture with their austerity. Soglio-cosmetics, on the other hand, is regarded as an outstanding example of new regional economy and innovative valorisation in the Alpine region. Based on valuable raw materials from the mountain regions, a wide variety of creams, washing lotions & soaps, shampoos and even perfumes are produced here.

But maybe it is sufficient to simply sit in the sun, enjoy the view and keep dreaming. In addition to the already mentioned Palazzo Salis, two other hotel restaurants spoil their guests: The Stüa Granda and the Soglina, both have beautiful panoramic terraces!

 

Access to Soglio and Plazza

By public transport: There is a PostBus service about every hour with a connection to the line between Maloja - Chiavenna.
Park&Ride: If you are travelling to Bergell by car, we offer two P&R car parks in Stampa and Vicosoprano. Due to "Bondo works" the parking spaces between the restaurant Fanconi and Crotto Semadeni will be discontinued from mid-March 2023 until the end of 2024. In Soglio there are only a few spaces, please change early to the post bus. Plazza can only be reached on foot or by post bus. Plazza has no parking spaces.
By car: We advise against travelling by car.
By coach: There is no parking in Soglio. Only 2-axle vehicles can drive up the narrow road to bring and pick up guests, but there is no official turning area.