Monstein (historic Village)

Monstein is a small village on a sunny terrace in the Landwasser valley, a few kilometres from Davos, and it is one of the best places in the area to see traditional Walser architecture. It stands at about 1,650 metres, on a slope above the deep Landwasser gorge, and its dark timber houses, narrow lanes and old barns give the impression of a settlement that has hardly changed for generations. Around two hundred people live here, and the village is quiet and rural, in contrast to the busy resort a few kilometres away.

The Walser are the key to its history. These German-speaking people came from the Upper Valais in the Middle Ages and settled high, remote valleys in Graubünden, Ticino and Vorarlberg, where others had not farmed. The first Walser are recorded in the Davos area in 1289, when Baron Walter V of Vaz granted them land, and they brought skills in cattle farming and in building timber houses that suited the harsh mountain climate. Their descendants kept their dialect and customs for centuries, and Davos still has a distinct Walser identity. In Monstein the buildings are mostly of stacked or log timber, with stone bases, small windows, wide eaves and wooden shingles, and many carry the dates and initials of their builders carved into the beams. The village church, a small and plain building, gives a focal point.

The village has been known for mining as well. Silver and lead were mined in the mountains above the Landwasser in earlier centuries, and the area’s history of mining adds another layer to its story. Today, the village has a guesthouse that serves visitors, and some traditional crafts continue. The surroundings offer walking routes through the Zügen gorge and along the Landwasser, as well as longer hikes to alpine pastures and ridges, with views over the Davos valley and the peaks. A mountain bus links Monstein with Davos, and the village is the starting point for the road through the Zügenschlucht gorge.

Visiting Monstein is best done slowly, on foot, with time to look at the houses and read any information panels. It is a residential community, so respect people’s privacy and avoid entering private property. Some facilities, such as the guesthouse, are open only at certain times, and opening hours change with the season, so check before you go. The village is quiet in the evening, and a stay overnight gives a feel of Walser life away from the resort.

Monstein, an Alpine village, suits history and architecture lovers, hikers and travellers who want a calmer side of Davos. Combine it with a walk in the gorge or a visit to the Kirchner Museum in Davos.