Description of the attraction
The Shanfigg Ethnographic Museum is located in the Old Town of Arosa, in the Eggahus building, near the Bergkirchli Church. The museum was opened in 1949. Its exhibits tell about the daily life and culture of the inhabitants of the Shanfigg Valley, that is, about those people of the Walser people who came to Arosa in the 13th century.
The museum's exhibit also reveals how the local people lived before Arosa became a popular health and ski resort. Most were engaged in agriculture or bred livestock that grazed in the alpine meadows located on the nearest mountain passes. The women stayed at home and did weaving. Samples of old tools, as well as rugs, capes, clothes are also presented in the Shanfigg Museum. Part of the exposition is devoted to the development of tourism in these places. A small section tells about the local fauna: here are collected stuffed animals that live in the Shanfigg Valley. Nearby are sporting goods and equipment for hunters. In addition, the museum contains a selection of archival documents and photographs that illustrate the rapid development of Arosa since the end of the 19th century.
Until 1958, the museum occupied only part of the wooden two-storey building of the Eggachus, built in the 16th century in the Alpine "walser" style. Originally a residential building, at the end of the 19th century it was transformed into the Egga Hotel. At the end of the 50s of the XX century, all rooms of Eggahus were set aside for historical and ethnographic exhibits. Museum staff regularly organize temporary exhibitions dedicated to specific moments in the history of the city.
