Location
Pontresina is located in the highest-altitude
valley that branches off from the Upper Engadine. It's a sunny place, protected
from the winds, that lies on a slope opening towards the southwest. Pontresina
continues to be a typical Engadine village, stretching along the valley's
longitudinal axis. It is embedded in dense woods of larch and stone pine trees.
Pontresina ascends from 1,777m to 1,860m above sea level.
Peculiarity
While Pontresina is a trendy and open-minded
place, it continues to maintain its tradition and cultural roots. There's a
choice of beautiful old Engadine houses, exciting pubs and restaurants, and
interesting cultural events.
Caracter
Pontresina is a traditional Engadine village,
divided into four distinct residential areas - Laret, San Spiert, Giarsun and
Carlihof. The more recent Muragls area is located in the direction of Samedan.
The 12th Century mountain church of Santa Maria with its invaluable frescoes
dating from the 13th and 15th Centuries, the pentagonal Spaniola Tower from the
13th Century, the Museum Alpin, and the bridges at Punt Veglia Roseg and Punt
Veglia Bernina as well as the many typical Engadine houses built in the 17th and
18th Centuries have been well preserved and some carefully restored.
Inhabitant
Some 1,830 people live in Pontresina (with about 6,700 joining them in
the tourist seasons).
Accommodation
( Building & Objects / Beds)
Language
Names of houses, streets and places
are predominantly Romansh. Pupils speak Romansh (Puter) at school. The languages
spoken in Pontresina are German, Romansh and Italian.
Local
customs
The two Engadine customs that continue to be
practiced in Pontresina are called Schlitteda and Chalandamarz. The former is a
cheerful trip young couples take with horse-drawn sleighs on the second Sunday
in January. The latter dates back to Roman times and is practiced on March 1st
when Pontresina schoolchildren go around singing and making a lot of noise with
bells in an attempt to chase away wintertime.
Market
positioning
The glacier village at the foot of Piz Bernina and Piz
Palü mountains that has the highest altitude conference center in Europe stands
for a unique and multi-faceted experience of nature and the mountain environment
in both summer and winter. It is no coincidence that the largest school of
mountain guides in Switzerland is based here. Thanks to the quality of its offer
and its focus on the individual guest, Pontresina provides the elegant comfort
of a traditional mountain resort within the well-known destination Engadin St. Moritz. Nature, activity, authenticity, tranquillity and winding down are
central to the product and its communication.
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Facts & Figures
