500 years of the Free State of Grisons – 500 years of Alp Sut

The Canton of Grisons celebrates its 500-year history in various events throughout the year. One remembers that the Leagues took jurisdiction into their own hands and standardised inheritance law at that time. About this an international conference was held in the Swiss village Maloja on 8 and 9 June. The initiators had the aim to strengthen the historical awareness in the former territories of the Three Leagues. Part of this celebration of the 500^th anniversary was also a festival on the Alp Sut.

Excursus into the
history of Grisons – the events of 1524

In 1524, the Grey League, the League of God’s House and the League of the Ten Jurisdictions united to the Free State of the Three Leagues. The need to survive in the Alpine region was the motive for the merger. From 1450, these leagues had developed into an independent state entity and gave themselves a common constitution in 1524 (“Federal Charter”). Sovereign members were the judicial parishes; their current successors are partly the districts, partly the municipalities. The leagues became equal partners of the Old Swiss Confederacy through various treaties (since 1497) – formally as associate member.
  The relationship with the Empire, the Emperor and the Habsburgs was regulated in 1500, 1502 and 1518 by various agreements – in 1518 by a treaty with Emperor Maximilian I. This treaty remained valid until 1798. From 1799 to 1803 Grisons was part of the Helvetic Republic named Canton of Rhaetia, since 1803 it has been a canton of the Swiss Confederation. The official languages are German, Romansh and Italian. The name Grisons the new canton received from the Grey League.

History of the Alp Sut

Also in 1524, 18 farmers from Pignia acquired the Alp Sut from the episcopal advocatus for 478 guilders. Five years later, the farmers gave themselves the first alp regulations. The alp could only be farmed by farmers mentioned by name. The cultivation lasted until 1900, when the alp was abandoned. At that time, it consisted of eight buildings, goat and sheep pens, cow sheds and an Alpine hut. The huts were a prerequisite for the cultivation of the alpine pastures, which ensured self-sufficiency and thus the survival of the mountain dwellers.
  On 4 January 2024, three inhabitants of Pignia decided to found the Alp Sut Association with the aim of restoring the buildings and thus make alpine history come alive. The alp is to be preserved as a meeting place for future generations.
  It lies at 2,100 metres above sea level on the edge of the Tgampatsch plateau below the Alp Neaza. It is currently owned by the Neaza Alpine Cooperative.

Atmospheric and
cheerful anniversary celebration

On Saturday, 27 July, the celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the Alp took place. The young and the old from the region gathered on site. Stefan Catrina, Actuary of the Alp Sut Association, welcomed all those present and gave an overview of the history and the restoration efforts. Reto Crameri, member of the Swiss Centre Party, lawyer and farmer, emphasised the importance of the alp in his historical excursus. Treasurer Andrea Cantieni read out a letter in which the Polenta-Alpine Hut speaks in person: “My name is ‘Polenta Hut’. The locals also tell me ‘Tigia Pulenta’ ...” The hut once stood on the Lambegn Alp. It was bought in 1975 by the Swiss National Museum and exhibited there as a contribution to alpine history. When the museum wanted to store it in a depot, the Alp Sut Association decided to rebuild it on an alp. It was brought to the site using a tractor with trailer and a helicopter. Its continued existence is by no means certain, as it lies outside the building zone. All present signed a petition to preserve the hut.
  The speeches were introduced by an alphorn blower and a flag-waver. They lent the celebration an atmospheric ambience. The only two bagpipe players from the canton of Grisons accompanied the ceremony with their music.
  After a tour of the hut, sustenance was provided for the guests. As a starter Alpine cheese, cream cheese with Alpine herbs and “Käsetätschli” (pastry with cheese) were served. The main course consisted of steaks, sausages and a tasty polenta. It was prepared in a large cauldron and stirred vigorously by adults and young people. A dessert was served, too, all free of charge. During the meal the Alpine folk music band Schamser Musig played, and we could hear polkas, waltzes and a lively mazurka. Our driver to Alp Sut turned out to be a talented bass fiddle player.
  After the meal, there was an “alpine heptathlon” for children and young people, which consisted of seven stages: Who could make the highest fire (piling up logs), watering the cows (carrying water over a course), push a stone, roll cheese (a wooden disc), herd cows, find a triple echo (at a certain place on the alp) and a boat trip. The focus here was not on competition because the three winners were determined by drawing lots.
  Everyone contributed to this atmospheric celebration. The canton of Grisons and its people with their down-to-earth attitude, their humour and spontaneity grew dear to our hearts. Afterwards we travelled back down the steep road 1,100 metres into the valley to Andeer, a challenge for the bus drivers which they mastered brilliantly.
  Anyone wishing to support the efforts to preserve the Alp Sut can do so by donating 20 francs per year, while corporate bodies can contribute 100 francs per year.  •

More information at: www.alpneaza.ch/alpsut