Pretorio e Torre Rotonda

About the museum

The round tower in the center of Vicosoprano was built in the second half of the 13th century and is considered the only fully preserved medieval round tower in Graubünden; its name goes back to an old word for “round.” It belonged to the bishop of Chur, who granted it to noble families such as the Castelmur and the Planta. The Bregaglia valley court met in the tower, which also served as an episcopal customs station on the road over the Maloja and Septimer passes.

In the 16th century the tower passed to the municipality, which built the Pretorio as an administrative building around it. The criminal court for the entire valley met here; customs and the civil court for the upper Bregaglia, Sopra Porta, were also housed here. Around 1592 the tower was equipped with a dungeon, a torture chamber and a pillory. Convicts were first displayed at the pillory to the right of the entrance and then taken to the cells behind the round tower; several people accused of witchcraft were also tortured here. Executions took place in the Cudin forest, where two gallows columns still stand.

The facade is decorated with sgraffiti showing Justitia, whose scales she holds without a blindfold, and an allegory of Temperance mixing water with wine; above the gate is the coat of arms of the valley court. Inside, the council chamber, the prison cells on the upper floor, the rack, shackles and shame masks have been preserved. The town hall and tower may be visited free of charge every day during the warm season.

Highlights

• The only fully preserved medieval round tower in Graubünden
• Torture chamber with rack, shackles and shame masks
• Pillory block with chain on the outer wall
• Council chamber and prison cells from the 16th century
• Sgraffiti with Justitia and the coat of arms of the valley court on the facade

Permanent exhibitions

• Folterkammer und Gefängnis im Rundturm – The medieval tower houses the prison cells and torture instruments from the time of the witch trials, including the rack, shackles and shame masks.
• Pretorio mit Ratsstube und Pranger – The old administrative and courthouse of the Bregaglia shows the council chamber, the pillory block on the facade, and sgraffiti on justice and temperance.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The execution site with the two gallows columns is nearby, in the Cudin forest.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit