House

Türalihus

Valendas, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland

The Türalihus is a historic town house. Originally built in 1485 as a farmhouse, it developed over time and as the owner's fortune grew into a stately baroque town house. The tower-like staircase, which is unique in the region, was added in the 17th century (Türali = turret) and gave the house its name. With the "Türalihus" it was not the owner who approached the foundation, but the village of Valendas who asked for support. They were looking for ways to revitalize the village and stop the steady migration. The "Türalihus" had stood empty for a long time before the restoration and was a secret meeting place for the village youth.

As part of this revitalization of the village, several houses were renovated and given a contemporary makeover. Today there is a nature museum in the old village school, the old inn serves modern dishes and the "Türalihus" brings interested guests to the village as a habitable monument.

The two apartments in the house for a total of eleven guests can be rented individually or together. The upper apartment with wood-panelled walls - some still with historical paintings - has a free-standing bathtub and a large dining room. The kitchen is dominated by the old stone floor, the stone walls blackened with soot and the still working wood stove. In the lower apartment there is a free-standing shower instead of a bathtub and also a modern kitchen in the old walls. Because of the thick walls, it's very quiet inside, even though the house is in the center of town. In the Türalihus, holiday guests will find plenty of peace and exciting stories surrounded by mountains and spectacular nature.

If you like, you can take a look backstage on our blog.

Rooms + Rates

per night

Apartment	from150 €
entire house	from385 €

Sustainable

ArchitectureRegional architects and craftsmen were commissioned for the renovation and refurbishment. This not only preserves the techniques and knowledge of the region, but also creates jobs. The restorations on the building were implemented with regional materials. Sgraffito artists reconstructed the old Renaissance facade paintings. Different colored layers of plaster are applied and the images are scratched into them. The Türalhus has been awarded various prizes: Second prize in the "Constructive Alps 2015", the architecture prize for sustainable renovation and building in the Alps, the award for "dealing with monument-worthy buildings" from the Wüstenrot Foundation and the award for "good buildings". in Graubünden.

SocialThe caretakers commissioned by the foundation are part of the local population. In addition to saving the historic buildings, the idea behind the foundation is to bring career prospects and added value to regions that are often affected by emigration through jobs and tourism. At the beginning of their work, the caretakers are trained in the topics of building culture and introduced to the building culture history of the house. Upon arrival, guests receive a tour of the house with explanations of the construction and architecture. The "Foundation Holidays in the Monument" was founded in 2005 to protect historic houses in Switzerland from decay, demolition or vacancy. The oldest buildings are from the early fourteenth century, the youngest house from 1933. The houses are often donations from the owners, who do not have the opportunity to rehabilitate the buildings. The foundation then collects donations and, whenever possible, looks for local architects and craftsmen who can restore and renovate the building as true to the original as possible. The rental income from the objects rented out as holiday homes covers the running costs and guarantees the preservation of the houses. The foundation combines monument protection with sustainable tourism. In this way, not only history can be vividly experienced, but at the same time appreciation for the architecture, sustainability through the preservation of the houses and the identity of the region is conveyed. The foundation now offers over fifty objects in Switzerland that could not be more different - just as different as their exciting stories.

EnvironmentThe house is heated with pellets (central heating) and two wood stoves. The thick stone walls stay cool in the summer and retain heat for a long time in the winter. The waste is recycled and the building is cleaned with natural cleaning products.

Characteristics

Holidays in a monument - a farmhouse originally built in 1485, which was expanded into a stately baroque town house
The inn "Zum Brunnen" is located opposite the house. There is modern-inspired cuisine made from regional products
Particular specialties from the region are: Capuns (spaetzle dough mostly wrapped in chard with Bündnerfleisch and herbs), Pizokel (also hearty spaetzle) and Bündner nut cake
Hiking trails start right outside the front door
Access to the natural wonder of the Ruinaulta Rhine Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage)
Exciting architectural tours in the village
The largest wooden well in Europe is in Valendas
In summer you can go cycling, walking and swimming
In winter, tobogganing on the village hills or skiing or cross-country skiing in the nearby Flims/Laax ski area

Holiday home2 apartmentsOwn kitchenChildren welcomeWi-Fino disabled accessno PoolPets allowed

Features

Holiday home with 2 apartments for a total of up to 11 people
The apartments can be rented individually or together
Upper apartment with 5 bedrooms for up to 7 people (bathroom + separate shower)
Baby cot and chair on request
Upper apartment with a tower stove in the living room and a cannon stove in the dining room (additional central heating)
Lower 2 bedroom apartment sleeps up to 4 people
Both apartments have a fully equipped kitchen
A small gift basket with regional products is available on arrival
Free parking about 150 meters from the house

Testimonials

... Die Struktur des ehemaligen Patrizierhauses lässt dabei die Neunutzung durch zwei Einzelwohnungen zu – mit geringen Abstrichen an die heutigen Gewohnheiten. Doch auch die neuen Ferienwohnungen im «Türalihus» sollen eines gewissen Luxus nicht entbehren. Abgeschiedenheit und Einfachheit, die Ort und Objekt verheissen, sind eben nur im äusseren Bild des «Kollektiven» vorhanden – im Inneren erwarten den Feriengast bei aller denkmalgerechten Sanierung nun ein freistehender Kochblock mit Glaskeramikherd und ein Bad mit Duschschale in der Raummitte. Denn unweigerlich stösst man bei Küche und Bad an die Grenzen einer strengen Sanierung des Bestandes: Will man denn als verwöhnter Städter vor die Türe auf die Toilette gehen? Will man den Herd frühmorgens erst einheizen müssen, ehe man den Espresso aufsetzen kann? – Hier bietet das Prinzip der «Collage» einen folgerichtigen Ausweg, um handwerklich auf hohem Niveau und ästhetisch zeitgemäss beiden Anforderungen gerecht zu werden: dem Bestand und dem Komfort.
Tom Schoper, nzz.ch, September 2022

Lange Zeit stand das Türalihus leer. Zuletzt, erzählte Bühler, habe darin der Ziegenhirte des Dorfes gewohnt. Seit der behutsamen Renovierung kann man hier zwei herrliche Ferienwohnungen mieten. Nachdem Bühler vorsichtig anklopfte – „vielleicht ist gerade jemand hier?“ –, inspizierten wir die Räume: Inmitten einer ehemaligen holzvertäfelten Schreibstube glänzt nun eine Badewanne. Im nach Süden ausgerichteten Prachtsalon speisen die Gäste unter barocken Deckengemälden. In der modern und funktional eingerichteten Küche hingegen kann man sich wie im Mittelalter fühlen: Ein speckiger, aus einem Wandschlitz schräg herausragender Stein diente als Spülbecken, als das Wasser noch mit Eimern vom Brunnen geholt werden musste. Daneben, in einem rußgeschwärzten Eck, könnte man theoretisch noch über einem offenen Feuer kochen.
Helmut Luther, faz.net, September 2022

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Rooms + Rates

per night

Apartment	from150 €
entire house	from385 €

Location + Directions

By car

From Chur it takes about half an hour to the Türalihaus (26 km). It takes around 3 hours from Bern (266 km), from Zurich just under 2 hours (144 km) and from Munich around 3.5 hours (300 km). The exact address can be found on the website.

With public transport

The nearest train station is in Valendas Sagogn (regional train from Chur). From there a bus runs towards Valendas village. The bus stop is almost in front of the house.