Muglin da Ftan
Historic grain mill on the edge of the village of Ftan with two working grinding mechanisms in their original condition, a witness to Lower Engadine grain farming.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
For centuries, grain cultivation on terraced fields formed the livelihood of the Lower Engadine. In Ftan alone there were eight mills and several stamping mills in 1715; at the beginning of the 20th century there were still five mills. The Muglin on the western edge of the village is the only one that has survived. Its older mill is around 400 years old and, according to the Schweizer Heimatschutz, is the oldest mill in Switzerland still operating in its original state.
In 1831, the miller and millwright Jakob Florineth, who had come to Ftan as a miller five years earlier, bought the building and between 1832 and 1835 added a second mill. His descendants continued the business over several generations and ground grain from the Lower Engadine until 1998. The residential building was added in the 1880s and a floor was added in 1902.
When arable farming disappeared from the mountain valleys after the Second World War, this last mill also faced decay. The Schweizer Heimatschutz took it over in the early 1970s with the help of a nationwide donation campaign and had it restored. Since customer milling ended, Cilgia Florineth, a miller in the fifth generation, has shown visitors the installation.
At the end of 2014, the mill passed to the regionally rooted Fundaziun Muglin da Ftan, which preserves the listed building and makes it accessible to the public. Since spring 2025, the building has been undergoing comprehensive renovation.
Highlights
- Two mills in their original condition, driven by a waterwheel, wooden shafts and gear wheels
- Older mill around 400 years old, second mill from 1832 to 1835
- Demonstrations of the working mill from June to October
- Tools, equipment, photographs and facts on Engadine grain culture
- Heritage garden of old alpine crop varieties above the mill
Permanent exhibition
- Mühle und Getreidekultur im Unterengadin – The two grinding mechanisms are demonstrated in operation; in the mill and the side rooms, equipment, tools, photographs and texts tell of past grain farming and the work of the millers.
- Operated by
- Fundaziun Muglin da Ftan
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Guided tours are also offered specifically for families and school classes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ftan, cumün
By Rhaetian Railway (RhB) to Scuol-Tarasp, then by PostBus to Ftan (stop Ftan, cumün). From there it is a little under one kilometer on foot toward Rontsch – Muglin Ftan – Hotel Paradies, along the field path.
By car
Parking available
Parking area with a few spaces at the village exit toward Ardez.
The mill is about 800 meters southwest of Ftan Grond, below the Hotel Paradies. By car, take the road from Ftan to Ardez and turn off at the Hotel Paradies.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits include a guided tour and a demonstration of the mill by Cilgia Florineth. Guided tours by advance registration for individuals as well as for families, school classes and other groups; registration by phone or email. The heritage garden with alpine crops near the mill can also be visited. |
