Museum Safien

About the museum

The museum's support association was founded in 1948 as the “Heimatverein Safien” and is today called “Verein Museum Safien”. Shortly after the founding, everyone agreed that the Walser house “Althus” in Camana, built in 1707, was suitable as a museum; the only point of contention was whether it should stay in its remote location or be moved to Safien Platz. In the end the house remained in Camanaboda, one of the highest year-round settlements in the valley at almost 1,800 meters.

The Althus stands among other old Walser houses and is largely preserved in the original condition of its construction period, so the building itself becomes the most important exhibit. The Stube (parlor) was the only heated room for living, eating and working, for example for spinning and weaving; in the narrow kitchen under the open hearth are the cooking place, cheese-making equipment and access to the parlor stove, and on the upper floor are the former sleeping chambers. The permanent exhibition also shows textiles made from flax and hemp around a working loom, as well as themes such as Easter egg scratching, music, emigration and shoemaking; a two-part audiovisual slide show presents the valley and the change in farming.

Since June 2024, the museum has had a second location in the “alte Post” (old post office) in the center of Safien Platz. This Walser house from the 17th century, which is characteristic of the village, was converted in 1905 into a post office with a telephone exchange; the high, bright rooms are now used for special exhibitions and events.

Highlights

• Walser house “Althus” from 1707 in largely original condition
• Stube, kitchen with open hearth and cheese-making equipment
• Working loom and textiles of flax and hemp
• Location in Camanaboda at almost 1,800 m above sea level
• Second location in the “alte Post” in Safien Platz

Permanent exhibition

• Wohnen und Arbeiten im Safiental im 18./19. Jahrhundert – The furnished Walser house from 1707 shows the Stube, kitchen and sleeping chambers, supplemented by textile production on the loom, Easter egg scratching, music, emigration, shoemaking and an audiovisual slide show about the valley.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Verein Museum Safien

Admission & discounts

The admission prices apply to both locations.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car on the valley road from Safien Platz toward Thalkirch, via the Camana/Hof turnoff or the Innercamana turnoff to Camanaboda.

Amenities & 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