A farewell to the Julierturm

13 August 2023

Swiss and foreign musicians and choirs have performed Mozart, Bach, Rachmaninoff, and many other (contemporary) composers in the Julierturm on the Julier Pass. Many theatre, singing and ballet performances took place at an altitude of  2 284 metres.

On the initiative of the Nova Fundaziun Origen, the Julierturm was built for theatre, singing, ballet and music in 2017. The project initially lasted five years, but due to Corona, it was extended by one year.

However, it will be over in September, and the Julierturm will be demolished. But what a remarkable project it has been, giving so much inspiration, beauty and art at this altitude!

In July, even a select company of Opera Garnier’s ballet performed, perhaps its first ballet at a mountain pass of 2 284 meters!

Fundaziun Origen’s intendant Giovanni Netzer (l) and Opera Garnier ballet choreographer and dancer Sébastien Bertaud (r) before the performance Anima Mundi (die Seele der Welt) on 22 July 2023

However, the Fundaziun Origen is already looking ahead and hopes to open the Weisse Turm (White Tower)in Mulegns (canton Graubünden) in 2024. Engineers at ETH- Zurich built the tower. They use 3D technology, and the first contours are already visible.

Mulegns, der Weisse Turm, model.

Mulegns, der Weisse Turm, under construction.

Mulegns is the village where Nova Fundaziun Origen is developing two other projects: they relocated the Weisse Villa by eight metres in 202o to make way for the road, and they currently renovate the legendary Post Hotel Löwe.

The old telegraph office temporarily serves as an information centre and exhibition space for textiles made in atelier Pôss in Riom. The siege of Nova Fundaziun Origen is in Riom.

(Further information: Nova Fundaziun Origen, Riom)

The stage moves from the top of the tower to the floor