Safien valley

The valley is carved a valley in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It extends in a north-south direction from the confluence of the Rabiusa in the Anterior Rhine to Safierberg at the transition to Splügen.

History

The area was originally farmed by Latin, which is reflected in the old geographical names. As from the end of the 12th century, the Walser migrated from the Upper Valais into Graubunden and sparsely populated mountain areas farmed, even the Safiental was settled. In the years after 1523, relatively early in the Swiss comparison, the Reformation began in Safiental. Gradually, the four valley communities known to the Reformed faith. The population of the valley is carved today large majority of evangelical- reformed.

In the last two centuries, the valley has suffered particularly from the loss of population due to emigration. So lived in 1850 in the four municipalities altogether 1798 persons in 1980 only 994 Meanwhile, this development is stopped and the population is about 1000 people.

On 1 January 2013, the formerly independent communities Safien, Tenna and Versam, and the location outside the Safiental Valendas merged to form the new municipality Safiental.

Geography

For Safiental belongs to the field of autonomous communities Safien end of 2012, Tenna and Versam, as well as the southwestern part of the township Bonaduz (Weiler Scardanal and Alp Sut ).

In the rear Safiental at Thalkirch is the balancing reservoir Wanna, which belongs to the catchment area of the power plants Zervreila AG and is connected by a Überleitstollen with the Zervreilasee the Vals. This process water then passes into the deeper balancing reservoir at Safien Square and is then transferred to the Central Roth fountain where electricity is generated. The catchment area belonging rivers Rabiusa and Carnusa and its lake Egschi have also been integrated into the work group. After processing in the industrial water wells Roth is the Hinter Rhine fed.

Nature

Many meadows in Safiental could not be cultivated intensively due to their topological location. Thanks subsidies were these preserved and untouched. On the rich pastures grow flowers such as the Globe-flower, anemone, various orchids and gentians.

Mid valley, north

Rear Safiental, View from the ascent to Safierberg