Alpmuseum Fasons

About the museum

The Fasons alp above Seewis in the Prättigau was built in 1877 and shows the typical layout of the time: a cattle shed in the middle with two herders’ huts beside it. The Seewis alp was divided into four Sennten (herding groups), two of which summered on Fasons each year according to a fixed rotation. Until 1985 the herders produced cheese, butter and, until 1972, also Ziger here; after that, a new alp took over the operation. Since 1988, one of the two herders’ huts has been a museum, while the other serves as accommodation for the calf herder during the alp season.

In the winter of 2012, a glide-snow avalanche crushed the museum hut. The municipality of Seewis, the Gebäudeversicherung, the Denkmalpflege Graubünden, the Binding Stiftung and the Verein Alpmuseum Fasons rebuilt it from 2013 to 2015 on the old foundation. On display are alp equipment such as cream ladles, cheese harps and butter molds.

The museum also includes the Valar sawmill further up the valley. The saw originally stood in Seewis and was used to rebuild the village after the fire of 1863. Andreas Jost, sawyer, carpenter, farmer and mountain guide, bought it in 1896 and reassembled it on the Valar stream; its timber was used to build the Berghaus Schesaplana in 1898. Driven by an overshot water wheel, the saw operated until around 1950. Since 1991 the Verein Alpmuseum Fasons has restored and operated the facility, which belongs to the municipality and has been a listed monument since 1992.

Highlights

• Original herders’ hut from 1877 with alp cheese-making equipment
• Cheese demonstrations on request
• Water-powered Valar sawmill from 1897 with an overshot water wheel
• Visit can be combined with a hike, bike tour or scooter descent in the Rätikon
• Catering for groups on the alp by arrangement

Permanent exhibitions

• Sennhütte Fasons – The furnished herders’ hut shows how cheese, butter and Ziger were made on the alp until 1985, with the herders’ tools and equipment.
• Valarsäge – The listed sawmill with its overshot water wheel is shown in operation during guided tours and tells the story of its builder, Andreas Jost.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Verein Alpmuseum Fasons

Admission & discounts

Permit for the alp road: CHF 10 per vehicle.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Seewis, a well-maintained access road runs about 9.5 kilometers to the Alp Fasons. For guests who do not want to hike, sections of the route can also be driven; on request, the association provides a bus for up to 21 people (with or without a driver).

Amenities & dining

For groups, the association serves an aperitif, a simple lunch (e.g. Älplermagronen) and drinks by advance order; a large guest room is available in case of bad weather.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit