A new home for the Upper Engadine Cultural Archives
After more than 30 years in Samedan, the Upper Engadine Cultural Archive moves to the Chesa Planta in Zuoz. With more space, better climatic conditions and rooms for exhibitions, a perfect new location has been found.
The Upper Engadine Cultural Archives
The Upper Engadine Cultural Archive was founded in 1988 as an association to become a place for the preservation of documents on Engadine history. The institution aims to professionally promote and deepen the cultural knowledge of the Engadine and the neighbouring regions, especially in the fields of art, architecture, archaeology, history, photography, film, literature, language, music and natural history.
The first location was a room in the old hospital in Samedan. Within a very short time it was filled with Engadine treasures. This meant that the need for such an institution was great. In 1992, the Archive moved to its present premises in the Chesa Planta in Samedan.
1,096 linear metres of archival records stored in boxes, folders or upright.
The current collection of the Upper Engadine Cultural Archives comprises over 650 holdings and 200,000 archival items: photographs, negative plates, manuscripts, architectural plans, original paintings, herbaria, newspapers, books, objects, etc.. These are distributed in 12 rooms (300m2) and some of them also via online archive. Insights into some of the Cultural Archive's holdings can be found in our short films.
The current situation in Samedan
The Chesa Planta in Samedan has been at the limits of its capacity for years. There is not only a lack of archive space for the extensive collection and suitable workplaces for researchers, but also of lecture and exhibition rooms. Furthermore, the climatic conditions in the building are harmful to the delicate archival materials and unacceptable for the staff, especially in the cold season.
The Chesa Planta in Zuoz
The Chesa Planta in Zuoz has been owned by the von Planta family's foundation fund since 1942.
The present project envisages occupying around 50% of the space of the entire house by the cultural archive. The other half consists of apartments, which will be renovated at the same time. The Cultural Archives must pay for the structural measures as well as the necessary renovation work.
Movie by Gian-Nicola Bass
The rooms of the Upper Engadine Cultural Archives in the Chesa Planta Zuoz
500 m2 of space for the Upper Engadine Cultural Archives
Climatically optimal space for the archive documents
More space and good workplaces
Space for exhibitions and lectures
The Chesa Planta will again be open to the public
The listed building in the centre of the village will become a cultural centre
Space for additional rooms
Opening in autumn 2023
Section through the Chesa Planta in Zuoz.
Light brown: rooms of the cultural archive
RTRs contribution gives insight into the current status of the reconstruction.
We count on your financial support
Your contribution helps us moving to Zuoz.
Investments and relocation cost the Upper Engadine Cultural Archives Fr. 2’210’000.-
In order to realise this ambitious project, we depend on the support of sponsors like you.
Through your commitment, you directly support the preservation of fascinating cultural assets and valuable contemporary witnesses and help to ensure that knowledge about the culture of the Upper Engadine and its surrounding regions is passed on for future generations.
We would be happy to send you additional information about the project by e-mail.
The costs in detail
The total costs consist of:
Fr. 1'600'000.- conversion and renovation work
Fr. 420'000.- investment in own facilities, infrastructure and furniture
Fr. 190'000.- relocation costs (including preparation for relocation and post-processing)
Spoken contributions from the following foundations and institutions
Historical Antiquarian Fund of the von Planta Family, Foundation Pro Arte Domus, Ernst Göhner Foundation, Department of Culture Graubünden, Gemeinnützige Dachstiftung Graubünden, Willi Muntwyler Foundation, Tino Walz Foundation, Foundation Fund of the von Planta Family, Curti Foundation, Sophie and Karl Binding Foundation, Wolfermann Nägeli Foundation, Swiss Mobiliar’s Anniversary Foundation, Ulrico Hoepli Foundation, UBS Culture Foundation, GKB contribution fund, Foundation Pro Patria, Municipality Zuoz (loan), Private donors, donors not listed by name.
Testimonials
"In the future, the 'Chesa Planta' will once again develop an aura commensurate with its cultural-historical significance, whether as the new location of the cultural archive for the entire region or as a place where it can make an important direct contribution to life in the village."
— Johannes Florin, Canton Graubünden Monument Conservator
"The municipality of Zuoz will support the efforts to the best of its ability, because the concept is absolutely compatible with the Zuoz 2025 strategy paper that was approved by the municipal assembly. We look forward to the new impulses for the development of the village centre."
— Andrea Gilli, Mayor of Zuoz
"The cultural archive with its exhibition, work and mediation rooms, accessible directly from the prominent village square, helps to revitalise the Chesa von Planta and also to preserve its inner and valuable historic building structure for the future and make it accessible to the public."
— Urs Padrun, Architect of the Chesa Planta Zuoz
"The Board of Trustees of the Gemeinnützige Dachstiftung Graubünden has decided to support this important project to safeguard and improve accessibility to the Upper Engadin's cultural assets."
— Gemeinnützige Dachstiftung Graubünden