Muzeum Susch: an Alpine arts hub in a tiny village

Contemporary art continues to find its way into the Alpine villages of Engadin – surely, a reflection of the cosmopolitan and cultured crowd that seizes upon these rural locales each holiday season.

The newest addition to the global arts scene is Muzeum Susch, a contemporary arts museum that focuses on gender issues in art and science.

Founder Grazyna Kulczyk, a Polish entrepreneur, tapped the Zurich-based architecture firm Voellmy Schmidlin Architektur to take on this project, which took shape upon the remnants of an 12^th century monastery and brewery.

Working with the existing structures as well as the surrounding mountains,

Chasper Schmidlin and Lukas Voellmy expanded and reimagined the interiors of the former vicarage, hospice and brewery to include site-specific installations as well as gallery spaces for temporary shows.

The museum is in close connection to the natural rock formations of the location, resulting in a complex that blends into the natural landscape.

Come here for themed philosophical debates, an ever-growing permanent collection of installations, visionary temporary exhibitions and magnificent views on the ‘magic mountains’.

The village of Susch, which counts only 200 inhabitants is, ahalf an hour from Villa Flor in S-Chanf and slightly further from Chesa Stüva Colani in Madulain, Grisons but if you’re en route to these White Line Hotels partners or happy to explore the environs, this is a merge of architecture and art that will leave an impression.

Where to Stay

Unapologetically vivid, this preferred pad of intellect and creativity is awash in Art Nouveau flamboyance tamed with clever 1950’s-inspired design interventions. A stylishly cool home of the arts, brushed with boldness.

This is seriously a little off-radar for most folk - this is more the home of the creative scene than that of the glitz of nearby St Mortiz - even more of a reason for you to like discovering this little house of Deco meets mid-century style.

Wonderfully aged, chunky, twisted and rooted - built in the 17th century, the boutique Hotel Chesa Stüva Colani has not only been at home in the tiny mountain village of Madulain for centuries, the house Colani has never looked so good.

Housed in the oldest part of the house, the restaurant dining rooms are framed in twisted heavy wooden beams lending the mandatory Alpine warmth, including a fab little snug in the former barn. The wine cellar is adjacent and stocks a wide variety of both local and region wines with some great numbers from neighbouring Italy.

Chef Paolo Casanova is a passionate foodie.  Sourced local ingredients from surrounding farmers are treated to a modern hand and a creativity that brings the flavours alive.  Expect skilful plates of delicately prepared food with a hearty narrative found in the alps.