Celerina, Rhätische Bahn and Cresta Palace Hotel
24 January 2023
The village Celerina or Schlarina (Canton Grau in Romansh appears as “Ad Slatannum” in a document from 1139. The name refers to its location: “near the Schlattain stream”, Schlattain.
In 1139, Konrad I of Bibberig, Bishop of Chur from 1123 to 1144, acquired the area from Zuoz to Silvaplana. The bishop built a cellar (cellarium in Latin, schler in Romansh), which led to today’s Romansh Schlarigna and German Celerina). The church of San Gian was built around 1300.
In 1538, the municipalities of Samedan, Bever, Celerina, Pontresina and others were founded. From this time onwards, there was the “municipality of Celerina”.
In 1631, numerous houses fell victim to the flames. The inscription with the years “built in 1631” or after this year can be seen on the many sgraffito-decorated facades because of the village’s rebuilding.
Around 1900, work began on the railway from Thusis to Celerina. Thirty-nine tunnels had to be bored, and 55 bridges and viaducts were built over wild gorges and raging rivers.
The Albula line first ran in 1903, not to St. Moritz, but to quiet Celerina. It was not until 1904 that St. Moritz was accessible by rail. In 1906, another construction began. This time not through but across the Alps: the Bernina line runs from St. Moritz via Celerina up to the Bernina Pass and down to Tirano in Italy.
Celerina shares with St. Moritz the ski area, the famous Olympic Bob Run St. Moritz-Celerina and the Cresta Run (skeleton track). The destination of both ice runs, which start in St. Moritz, has been Celerina for over 100 years.
The Olympic Bob Run St. Moritz-Celerina and the Cresta Run (Skeleton-Bahn)
The Cresta Palace Hotel was opened in 1906. Because many English people spent their holidays in the Engadine, facilities for horse races, tennis and golf were necessary. English championships took place, and winter races were held on the bobsleigh and Cresta Run. Winter sports such as skiing, ice skating and curling became increasingly popular.
In 1912, a new wing with another 100 beds was inaugurated. The outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918) was a game-changer. The stock market crash in 1929, the subsequent economic crisis and the Second World War (1939-1941) halted the upswing in tourism until 1960.
In 1966, a new hall with a swimming pool was inaugurated. The splendid Art Nouveau hall was renovated in 1998. The new wellness centre opened its doors in 2006.
The Cresta Palace sets a new milestone in 2022. Around 40 rooms have been renovated and redecorated in the spirit of Art Nouveau aesthetics and elegance. In redesigning the rooms and suites, special attention has been paid to details and characteristic elements of Art Nouveau while respecting the conditions of a modern hotel room and suite.
Not everything has changed. The authentic sphere of the Belle Epoque and quality are still the norms, and nature is just as fascinating as it was 100 years ago.
Source: www.engadin.ch; das Cresta Palace Hotel
Gallery Turo Pedretti
