Village Square, Water Springs and Bellevue in Scuol

26 August 2026

Switzerland is (for the time being) not only the ‘water castle’ of Europe, but is also renowned for its mineral springs, spas and the Grand Hotels associated with them.

These springs can be found throughout the country, even though these places are no longer used as spas today. The epicentre, however, is the Engadin in the canton of Graubünden, particularly the Lower Engadin.

The water springs in Scuol (Graubünden, Lower Engadin/Unterengadin) and other villages are often the centres of a square surrounded by houses. The springs had both a social function (as a meeting place) and a domestic function (for water consumption).

Scuol

Many springs also contain mineral compositions that are beneficial to health. In the region, this has been known or suspected for centuries. However, the application of tourism in spas and baths only developed from the mid-19th century onwards. Bellevue, built around 1900, is an example, as are many other villages in Graubünden (and other cantons in Switzerland).

The mineral springs have copper plates containing their composition. Viva is the Romansh expression for ‘to your health’.

(Source and further Information: K. Mischol, Mineralquellen im Unterengadin, Geschichten und Fakten, Scuol, 2019; M. Dubois, Die Brunnen des Engiadina Bassa, Zürich, 2014; Bogn Engiadina Scuol; www.engadin.com)

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