Graubünden is located in the heart of Europe. Graubünden means cultural variety. Graubünden is Switzerland’s only trilingual canton. Along with German and Italian, Rhaeto-Romanic is spoken only in Graubünden. Graubünden means nature at its best: 615 lakes, more than 900 mountain peaks and 150 valleys. A unique nature reserve – the Swiss National Park - is located in the Engadin and Val Müstair. 

Graubünden is Europe’s watershed. More than 2,000 meters above sea level lies Lake Toma, the source of the River Rhine. The water from these mountains flows into all of Europe’s seas. And it moves Switzerland - after all, 12% of Swiss power comes from Graubünden. 

One of the oldest dioceses, the Diocese of Chur, reaches far beyond the canton’s borders. The Chur Cathedral dates back to the 12th century. Four centuries before, wandering monk Sigisbert had come to Disentis where he founded a hermitage, laying the foundation for today’s Benedictine monastery.

Graubünden is a canton of transitions, not only in terms of languages but also geographically. To get to the Pushlav Valley, you take the world’s slowest express train, the Bernina Railway. It takes you across the Alps. In the southern valleys of the canton, people speak Italian. Soglio and San Vittore are covered in magnificent chestnut forests. Next to these, wine and fruit is grown.

One third of the entire canton’s surface is covered in forest. Four out of 10 people live at altitudes of more than 1,000 meters. The highest municipality is Avers. The village of Juf, which is part of this municipality, is located at more than 2,100 meters above the sea. Graubünden is Switzerland’s largest canton. Its population density is the smallest. The canton’s capital is Chur – this at the same time is Switzerland’s oldest city. Graubünden has been part of the Swiss Confederation since 1803. 

Graubünden’s legislature is the Cantonal Parliament. Each sub-district has at least one member. The Cantonal Parliament is headed by the president. He or she is elected annually.

The Graubünden Cantonal Parliament is the only one in Switzerland where three languages are spoken. Members are free to speak in the language of their choice. 

The people of Switzerland are its sovereign. Switzerland is a direct democracy at the national, cantonal and municipal level. The legal system grants extensive personal and political rights.

The Executive is made up of five members which constitute the government. It is elected for a term of four years. Each member of the government heads a department. The presidency changes each year. 

The judges of the cantonal and administrative court are elected by the Cantonal Parliament. District courts complement the system of jurisdiction.

Many political careers begin at the municipal level. This is where topical questions are discussed. Voting on these issues at the Municipal Assembly or the polls thus represents yet another contribution to direct democracy.  

Graubünden lives off tourism. Its healthy mountain climate and the many mineral springs spurred bathing and spa tourism in the 19th century. Since then, a great variety of hotels and restaurants has flourished. Cultural events and sports facilities complement the wide range of offers.

Today the many different mineral waters of the region have made the name of Graubünden well-known around the globe. And the water from the mountains keeps Switzerland on the move as well. Set in a fantastic mountain world, in the Val di Lei, is one of the largest reservoirs of the canton. 

Water and stone, accompanied by scents and sounds. This is the concept the Vals oasis of recreation is based on. Afterwards, one of the many Graubünden specialities. 

Almost half of Graubünden’s milk is used in the production of mountain cheese. The cultivation of the land is also the basis for tourism. Graubünden’s farmers are versatile and environmentally conscious. The majority of the farms operate according to ecological criteria. Sheep, goats, horses, cattle, and even lamas are raised. Many farmers sell their products directly to the customers. 

Wine is grown in the region of ‘Bündner Herrschaft’, where the “foehn wind” warms the air and blows away the clouds. The principal wine grown here is the Pinot Noir, along with numerous other fine grape varieties. In southern Graubünden, it is predominately the Merlot.

Graubünden’s life insurance is its protection forest. It protects settlements and roads against avalanches. The forest is a valuable source of energy and serves as building material.

Graubünden’s rock is mined for gravel, concrete and cement. One of Europe’s first concrete bridges was built near Langwies. To date it is known as the highest and longest concrete bridge in the world. 

To work where others spend their holidays. Maybe that’s why a good number of foreign companies have settled in Graubünden. 

The majority of the labour force today works in the service sector. Its centre is Chur, and there you can buy almost anything. 

Despite the numerous valleys, Graubünden has an excellent infrastructure. A large network of village shops, banks and schools stretches across the entire canton.

Graubünden is also attractive for economic reasons. Moderate tax rates, excellently trained personnel, high labour productivity and a tightly knit infrastructure network offer advantages of location especially to smaller and medium-sized businesses. 


School boys hurl fiery disks down into the valley, calling out the name of their beloved. It’s the beginning of spring. Fire or cowbells are used to drive out the winter. Ancient heathen customs are still alive in Graubünden. And even if their meaning has changed, the fascination remains.

An altogether different kind of fascination emanates from autumn. It is the time of the hunters. Soon stories of successful shootings will be doing the rounds at the regulars’ tables. Some first venison dishes are served up at the restaurants.

Graubünden has always attracted and inspired great names: Italian painter and artist Giovanni Segantini, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Friedrich Nietzsche, Alberto Giacometti or Alois Carigiet. They lived and worked in the peace of this unique mountain world. And Johanna Spyri’s world bestseller “Heidi” was inspired in Maienfeld. Today Heidi is staged as a musical. 

A different mixture of guests meets each year at the spa resorts: the jetset. Fashion shows, parties and sports events are perfect for cultivating private, business and political contacts. In Davos, the economic elite of the whole world gets together once every year.

Graubünden’s architecture is varied and boasts many traditions. The Convent of Müstair today is part of the UNESCO word heritage. In Zillis, 153 wooden panels tell stories of the life of Christ. A multitude of ruins and castles are witnesses to the eventful history of Graubünden, where the rule over the mountains and passes was indispensable in establishing power and trade. The village of Guarda with its unique appearance today is of national significance. 

Tomorrow’s history is today’s creation. Contemporary architects and artists show that Graubünden is still a source of inspiration. Cultural life is varied, and so is its public. 

Graubünden is a place of active learning and research. Six higher technical schools offer a wide range of study courses. This has made Graubünden an attractive place for Swiss and foreign students. 

Scientists are drawn to the canton as well. Graubünden is ideal for research in the fields of climate, medicine and biology. “Researching, studying and working where others spend their holidays” – this is no over-the-top slogan, it’s the reality in Graubünden. 

Graubünden is the land of the Rhaetian Railway. In the late 19th century, the first narrow-gauge railway was built following the initiative of Dutchman Willem-Jan Holsboer. In the decades to come a railway network developed which today is unique. In 1999 with the opening of the Vereina Tunnel, the Rhaetian Railway closes the last gap in the line and creates a more direct route to the rest of Switzerland.

Remote villages are linked up with the Rhaetian Railway by regular post coach services. And those wanting to go even further up take one of the cable cars of the more than 50 cable car operators.

Connecting in Graubünden means taking a long way to overcome a short distance, be it to get from one side of the valley to the other or to move across or through a mountain. Graubünden is the land of tunnels and bridges. Yet Graubünden is also a transit land.

Even in the early days, goods were transported across the Alps along mule tracks. The Romans built the first roads. In the course of power station construction, many side valleys were developed. Today Graubünden’s road network is more than 1,600 kilometres long. 

Be it with stone slabs, timber or steel concrete - man managed to break his way through this fascinating alpine world, to inhabit it and to preserve its variety. 

Graubünden is alive and always developing. The vision of the Porta Alpina will link up Graubünden with the European railway network and strengthen its position in the heart of Europe.