Overlooking the lake of the same name, at an altitude of 5,910 feet above sea level, St. Moritz is located on the slopes of the Albula Alps in an area known as the Upper Engadine in Switzerland. Human activity in the area has been traced back to the Bronze Age when the Celts visited the area, but the primitive form of its current name, ad sanctum Mauricium, is not mentioned until around 1137. Saint Maurice, after whom the village was named, was an early Christian saint who died in the 3rd century during the Roman invasion of Switzerland. Over time, the original name of Saint Mauritius evolved into the present-day St. Moritz.

St. Moritz Today

St. Moritz did not start its development as a winter resort until 1864, when Caspar Badrutt, a tourism entrepreneur who is almost solely responsible for the invention of several modern winter activities, made a bet with four summer guests at his hotel, saying that if they returned to visit during the winter and did not like the area, he would reimburse them for their travel expenses, but if they did, they would be invited to spend as long as they wished as his guests. After that, the area developed quickly, and in 1878, Switzerland's first electric light was installed in the Kulm Hotel.

Winter Sports in St. Moritz

St. Moritz was the host of the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics in the famous stadium that is still standing. Since then, St. Moritz has hosted a number of world-renowned winter sporting events, including four Alpine World Ski Championships, among other less eclectic ones, such as golf, polo, and cricket on the frozen lake during the 1970s and 80s. Because of this, its majestic alpine views, an all-natural bobsled run, and much more, St. Moritz is one of the most wonderful places to visit all year round!