House Valenda

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Valendas is first mentioned in 765 as *in Valendano*. As of 2006, its area was 22.8 km², of which 21.6% was agricultural, 48.7% forested, 1.8% settled, and 27.9% non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains). The former municipality was located in the Ilanz sub-district of the Surselva district, above the right side of the Vorderrhein canyon. It included the haufendorf village of Valendas and the hamlets of Carrera, Brün, Dutjen and Turisch. As of 2011, the population was 298. In 2000, 96.9% spoke German, 1.7% Romansh, and 1.0% Serbo-Croatian. The gender distribution was 51.3% male and 48.7% female. The age distribution showed 13.6% aged 0–9, 12.9% aged 10–19, 7.8% aged 20–29, 13.9% aged 30–39, 14.6% aged 40–49, 13.6% aged 50–59, 10.9% aged 60–69, 6.1% aged 70–79, 5.4% aged 80–89, and 1.0% aged 90–99. In the 2007 federal election, the SVP received 68.1% of the vote, followed by the FDP (13.3%), SP (11%), and CVP (5%). About 68.1% of those aged 25–64 had completed upper secondary or higher education. The unemployment rate was 0.11%. As of 2005, 66 people worked in the primary sector (25 businesses), 21 in the secondary sector (4 businesses), and 29 in the tertiary sector (10 businesses).

In Their Own Story

The Türelihus, located in the center of Valendas, is one of the most historically valuable houses in the village. Its interior contains many original furnishings from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The original building was constructed in 1485. In 1554 it was expanded—the Renaissance phase—with a spiral staircase within a tower and a stable added to the north side. In 1775 it was renovated in the baroque style. The four-story building was abandoned for many years and began to decay. In 1994, the first attempt to renovate it ended with only the addition of a temporary roof. The oldest part of the Haus Joos may date to about 1300. The attached barn has a date of 1572 carved into it. However, the building is currently in poor condition and has not been used for a number of years. Valendas-Sagogn station, on the Rhaetian Railway line linking Chur and Disentis, lies some 120 metres below and 1.2 kilometres distant from the village of Valendas.

Reader's Guide

To visit Valendas, take the Rhaetian Railway to Valendas-Sagogn station, which lies 120 metres below and 1.2 km from the village. The former municipality is located above the right side of the Vorderrhein canyon. Key sights include the Türelihus (built 1485, expanded 1554, renovated 1775) and the Haus Joos (oldest part possibly from about 1300, barn dated 1572). Both are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance. The village is a haufendorf—an irregular, unplanned, closely packed village built around a central square. The surrounding area includes the hamlets of Carrera, Brün, Dutjen and Turisch. As of 2006, 48.7% of the area was forested and 27.9% was non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains). The population in 2011 was 298, with German spoken by 96.9% in 2000. The SVP received 68.1% of the vote in the 2007 federal election.

Did You Know?

• Valendas is first mentioned in 765 as *in Valendano*.
• The Türelihus was originally built in 1485, expanded in 1554, and renovated in the baroque style in 1775.
• The Haus Joos may have parts dating to about 1300, and its barn has a carved date of 1572.
• Valendas-Sagogn station lies 120 metres below and 1.2 km from the village.
• In the 2007 federal election, the SVP received 68.1% of the vote in Valendas.