Forum Paracelsus

About the museum

The iron- and carbonic-acid-rich mineral spring of St. Moritz was already famous far beyond the region in the Middle Ages, including through Pope Leo X and the physician Paracelsus. It gave rise to spa tourism, which brought wealthy guests from all over Europe to St. Moritz; a medicinal-therapeutic spa has existed to this day.

The centerpiece of the Forum is the spring casing of the Mauritius Spring. It was made around 1411 BC from larch trunks several hundred years old: two hollowed-out trunks were set into the ground to collect the spring water. For roughly 3,300 years they lay in the peat soil until they were discovered during construction work in 1853 and excavated in 1907 together with votive offerings. The casing is regarded as the oldest evidence of early tourism in the Alpine region and as cultural heritage of international significance.

For a long time the spring casing was displayed in the Museum Engiadinais. In 2013 it moved into the converted Paracelsus building in St. Moritz Bad, where it was examined and precisely dated; in 2014 the Forum Paracelsus opened. During the July 2024 flood the exhibition room was inundated and the wooden structure was damaged. Specialists recovered the roughly 100 pieces, let them dry and treated them, and in March 2025 reassembled the spring casing in its place. Listening stations and touchscreens tell the story of the St. Moritz mineral springs; the Forum also hosts concerts, readings and workshops.

Highlights

• Bronze Age spring casing of the Mauritius Spring (around 1411 BC)
• History of the St. Moritz mineral springs at listening stations and touchscreens
• Rebuilt after the 2024 flood
• Open daily, 7:00–20:00
• Concerts, readings and workshops

Permanent exhibition

• Mauritius-Quellfassung und Geschichte der Heilquellen – The Bronze Age spring casing made of larch wood is the centerpiece; listening stations and touchscreens tell of the mineral springs and bathing culture in St. Moritz.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Gemeinde St. Moritz

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The Forum is located on Plazza Paracelsus in St. Moritz Bad, beside the spa.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Forum can be rented as an event venue and for catering by arrangement; information is available from the St. Moritz municipality (infrastructure department).

Plan your visit