Willkommen auf WalserAlps

Upcoming Events: 2010-07-04 - 2010-10-02 WALSER MENSCHENBILDER - eine Familiengalerie
Sonderausstellung im Museum Huber-Hus, Lech; 2010-07-16 - 2010-08-31 Ausstellung in der Festung Bard
Das Projekt, das in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Walser Kulturzentrum von Gressoney und Issime entworfen wurde, sieht eine Ausstellung mit dem Titel „Homines Dicti Walser – Un popolo nel cuore delle Alpi“ vor, die sich dem Walsertum anhand von Fotos, Videos, Trachten, Büchern und Schildern widmet.; 2010-08-27 - 2010-09-18 Walserherbst 2010
Das steilste Festival mitten in den Bergen! Musik, Literatur, Theater, Film, Kulinarik, Workshops und mehr - vor der alpinen Kulisse des Großen Walsertales; 2010-08-28 - 2010-08-28 Kongress "Homines Dicti Walser"
Der Krongress lädt auf die Festung Bard zum Thema "Eine Bevölkerung im Herzen der Alpen".; 2010-09-10 - 2010-09-12 17. internationales Walsertreffen
In Triesenberg, der einzigen Walsergemeinde im Fürstentum Liechtenstein, wird vom 10. bis zum 12. September 2010 das 17. internationale Walsertreffen stattfinden.

How did the Walser settle?

2006-10-12

Is there a common way of settlement? As a basic principle, the Romans settled in cramped surroundings in hamlets and villages. The Germanic tribes prefer a loose way of settlements with scattered buildings. Where this was not possible due to avalanches, mud flows or mountain torrents, the Walser built closed settlements.

This tendency is found with the southern Walser, in Rheinwald, in Vals and Avers. The other Walser settlement areas are all with scattered buildings. Each family built on its land living and farm house, stables and barns. Over the centuries, many of the high-lying farms are no longer used all-season but as huts or “Maisäße” (only used over summer). The people moved near the churches (e.g. Nufenen in Rheinwald). The village’s centeres also built up because of the strongly growing population and infrastructural necessities.

Ulrichen in Goms (Oberwallis)

In Valais, so called “Haufendörfer” (built-up areas) are typical. Here, it is not the landscape demanding such type of settlement but rather the ancient working conditions.

Both settlements with scattered buildings and closed ones are equally common with the Walser. Both also appear in other alpine regions. However, the scattered buildings with seperated residential and farm building- in contrast to the Alemannic single building- are connected with the eastern parts of Graubünden, Liechtenstein and Vorarblerg.