Splügen (Romansh: Spleia, Italian: Spluga) is a former municipality in the Viamala Region in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2006 Splügen incorporated its neighbouring municipality of Medels im Rheinwald. On 1 January 2019 the former municipalities of Hinterrhein, Nufenen and Splügen merged to form the new municipality of Rheinwald.
Splügen | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 46°33′N 9°19′E | |
Country | Switzerland |
Canton | Graubünden |
District | Viamala |
Government | |
• Mayor | Walter Mengelt |
Area | |
• Total | 60.49 km2 (23.36 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,475 m (4,839 ft) |
Population (31 December 2018)[2] | |
• Total | 378 |
• Density | 6.2/km2 (16/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (Central European Time) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time) |
Postal code(s) | 7435 |
SFOS number | 3694 |
ISO 3166 code | CH-GR |
Localities | Medels im Rheinwald |
Surrounded by | Madesimo (IT-SO), Mesocco, Nufenen, Safien, Sufers |
Website | www SFSO statistics |
In 1995, the Swiss Heritage Society bestowed the Wakker Prize to Splügen.
History
Splügen is first mentioned about 840 as cella in Speluca.[3]
Geography
![Thumb](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Picswiss_GR-84-06_Spl%C3%BCgen-_Hinterrhein%2C_Hotel_%22Suretta%22.jpg/220px-Picswiss_GR-84-06_Spl%C3%BCgen-_Hinterrhein%2C_Hotel_%22Suretta%22.jpg)
Splügen has an area, as of 2006[update], of 60.5 km2 (23.4 sq mi). Of this area, 38.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 17.8% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (42.9%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).[4]
Before 2017, the municipality was located in the Rheinwald sub-district, of the Hinterrhein district, after 2017 it was part of the Viamala Region.[5] It consists of the village of Splügen and since 1 January 2006, Medels im Rheinwald. It is a haufendorf (an irregular, unplanned and quite closely packed village, built around a central square) located on a ridge between the Splügen pass and San Bernardino pass.
The Splügen Pass road leads from Splügen to Chiavenna and rises to a height of 2,020 meters (6,630 ft). The Italian name for the pass is Passo dello Spluga. The pass is closed in winter nowadays and the whole route hosts a number of historically interesting spots that can be reached on a common multiday hike between Thusis and Chiavenna,[6] passing the two gorges Roflaschlucht and Viamala north of Splügen.
Demographics
Splügen has a population (as of 31 December 2020) of 377.[7] As of 2008[update], 10.7% of the population was made up of foreign nationals. Over the last 10 years the population has decreased at a rate of -8.3%.[4]
As of 2000[update], the gender distribution of the population was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.[8] The age distribution, as of 2000[update], in Splügen is; 25 people or 13.2% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old. 22 people or 11.6% are 10 to 14, and 3 people or 1.6% are 15 to 19. Of the adult population, 8 people or 4.2% of the population are between 20 and 29 years old. 35 people or 18.5% are 30 to 39, 20 people or 10.6% are 40 to 49, and 15 people or 7.9% are 50 to 59. The senior population distribution is 28 people or 14.8% of the population are between 60 and 69 years old, 21 people or 11.1% are 70 to 79, there are 11 people or 5.8% who are 80 to 89, and there are 1 people or 0.5% who are 90 to 99.[9]
In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the SVP which received 47.6% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the FDP (23.4%), the SPS (22.6%) and the CVP (6.2%).[4]
In Splügen about 67.6% of the population (between age 25-64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule).[4]
Splügen has an unemployment rate of 0.33%. As of 2005[update], there were 39 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 16 businesses involved in this sector. 27 people are employed in the secondary sector and there are 6 businesses in this sector. 150 people are employed in the tertiary sector, with 30 businesses in this sector.[4]
The historical population is given in the following table:[3]
year | population |
---|---|
1690 | 360 |
1850 | 494 |
1900 | 373 |
1930 | 336 |
1950 | 387 |
2000 | 365 |
Languages
Most of the population (as of 2000[update]) speaks German (89.8%), with Italian being second most common (2.7%) and Portuguese being third (2.4%).[4]
Tourism
![Thumb](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Spluegen.jpg/640px-Spluegen.jpg)
Skiing
Splügen, in the winter, is a ski resort with a lift going in the direction of the Splügen Pass.
Heritage sites of national significance
![Thumb](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Picswiss_GR-84-14_Hotel_%22Weiss_Kreuz%22_in_Spl%C3%BCgen.jpg/320px-Picswiss_GR-84-14_Hotel_%22Weiss_Kreuz%22_in_Spl%C3%BCgen.jpg)
The former Säumerherberge (mule drivers hostel) Weiss Kreuz is listed as a Swiss heritage sites of national significance.[10]
Wakker Prize
In 1995, the Swiss Heritage Society bestowed the Wakker Prize to Splügen. The prize description notes that Splügen had reached a notable compromise between preservation and tourism. The old town was strictly protected to maintain the original appearance, while rational zone planning allowed development to occur outside the old village.[11]
References
External links
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