Sapün, Protected townscape in Grisons, Switzerland.
Sapün is a protected mountain village in a valley near Arosa, located at 1,800 meters elevation surrounded by alpine meadows. The settlement consists of traditional wooden structures built into the landscape without modern alterations to the buildings.
The village developed as a medieval mountain settlement and later received protected status because it preserved its original architectural character. This recognition reflects how the region values keeping old structures intact for future generations.
The wooden buildings here display construction methods passed down through generations of mountain people, with each structure showing how residents adapted to life in high alpine terrain. Walking through the village, you can see these homes are still used and maintained according to local traditions.
Access is only possible via mountain roads that are open during both summer and winter seasons, with regular connections to Arosa. Visitors should expect high-altitude terrain and be prepared for variable mountain weather conditions.
Strict preservation guidelines govern any changes to buildings, maintaining the settlement's original form without allowing significant modifications. This makes it one of few places where alpine village architecture has remained largely unaltered over time.
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