Pontresina Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Pontresina (Puntraschigna)
Pontresina (Romansch Puntraschigna), once a mere village on the road to the Bernina pass and now a popular health resort, climbers' base and winter sports capital, lies in a sheltered spot in the highest side valley of the Upper Engadine, on a natural terrace facing southwest.
Town Sights
Pontresina has some elegant hotels from the Belle Epoque period, typical stone houses with sgraffiti and window grilles. The Punt Ota bridge is of 12th C. origin. In the Laret district the village church (Protestant) was built in 1640.Between Piz Rosatsch and Piz Chalchagn a beautiful glimpse of the Roseg valley and Roseg glacier can be enjoyed. Near here is a plant reserve with an Alpine garden.
Church of Santa Maria
On the hillside above Ober-Pontresina are the ruins of the pentagonal Spaniola tower and the little Romanesque church of Santa Maria, with a ceiling of stone pine (1497) and frescoes of the 13th-15th C. The west wall was part of the previous building and retains wall-paintings from the 13th C. (God's appearance, The Baptism of Christ and the Last Supper). The life of Christ is depicted from the south wall to the north.The church is popular for weddings.
Alpine Museum
Mineral and bird collections and a winter sports exhibition are contained in this house, Pontresina Museum Alpin, typical of the area.
Surroundings
Pontresina is surrounded by Alps and glaciers which offer outstanding panoramas and climbing opportunities.
Muottas Muragi (Alp Languard)
Ascent of Muottas Muragl: 3km/2mi from Pontresina on the St Moritz road a funicular (length 2,200 m/7,218ft, gradient 13-54%) takes 15minutes to reach Muottas Muragl (2,453 m/8,043ft; restaurant), which commands the finest view of the Bernina group and the lakes of the Upper Engadine.A good return route is by a path which skirts the Schafberg to the Unterer Schafberg restaurant (one hour) and on to the Alp Languard (2,250 m/7,382ft; 45minutes); then by chairlift (skilift) or on foot (45minutes) to Pontresina.
Schafberg (Munt della Bes-cha)
The Schafberg (Munt della Bes-cha, 2,731 m/8,960ft) is reached from Pontresina in 2.75 hours by way of the Unterer Schafberg restaurant (2,230 m/7,317ft), from which there are magnificent views.On the summit, which has a prospect embracing the whole of the Bernina group, is the Segantini hut, with a tablet commemorating the painter Giovanni Segantini, who died here in 1899.
Roseg Glacier
Roseg Glacier (Vadret da Roseg) is reached by a narrow road (6km/4mi; closed to traffic; horse-drawn carts) which leads up the Roseg valley to the Roseg-Gletscher restaurant (2,000 m/6,562ft). From this point it is a 30-45 minutes' walk under a fine row of stone pines to the end of the glacier, now much reduced in size. From here it is a 2.25 hours' walk to the Fuorcla Surlej and the Murtel station on the Corvatschbahn.
Alp Ota
There are extensive views from the Alp Ota (2,257 m/7,405ft; 1.25 hours from the restaurant) and the Tschierva hut (2,573 m/8,442ft; two hours).
Morteratsch Glacier (Vadret da Morteratsch)
Morteratsch glacier (Vadret da Morteratsch) can be reached from Pontresina by following the Bernina road 4.5km/3mi to a little road on the right which leads to the Morteratsch Hotel (1,908 m/6,260ft). From here it is an hour's walk to the end of the glacier.
Chünetta
A superb view of the Morteratsch glacier can be had by climbing Chünetta (2,096 m/6,877ft; 35minutes).
Boval hut (Swiss Alpine Club)
Two hours beyond Chünetta is the Boval hut of the Swiss Alpine Club (2,495 m/8,186ft; inn with beds), from which there is a superb view of the Bernina group.
Pontresina climbs
Possible climbs from the Boval hut (to be undertaken only with a guide) include Piz Morteratsch (3,751 m/12,307ft; 4.5-5 hours; easy, for those with a good head for heights), with superb panoramic views; Piz Palü (3,905 m/12,812ft; six-seven hours), a beautifully shaped peak; and Piz Bernina (4,049 m/13,285ft; seven-eight hours, very strenuous). Ascent of the Diavolezza on foot from the Morteratsch Hotel or by cableway from Bernina-Suot. Another rewarding climb from Pontresina is the ascent of Piz Languard, to the east (3,268 m/10,722ft; four hours), with fine views. There is a restaurant 15minutes below the summit.Cableways can be taken to the Diavolezza (summer skiing) and Piz Lagalb.
