TRAVEL: by Eric Mackenzie Lamb
Located in the southeast of Switzerland, St Moritz is famous not only for its amazing scenery, but also its historic architecture and unique buildings. And that’s not to mention its attraction for skiers, mountain trail hikers, and visitors who want to find a sophisticated environment.
St Moritz is also renowned for its luxurious five star hotels, which include the Kulm hotel, hotel Waldhaus Sils, Grand Hotel des bains Kempinski, Badrutta Palace hotel,and the Carlton, just to name a few.
Known for its mineral springs for more than 300 years, pilgrims often traveled to the Church of the Springs, where they would drink from the blessed bubbling waters in the hope of being healed. In 1519, Pope Leo X promised full absolution to anyone making a pilgrimage to the Church of the Springs. In the 16th century, the first scientific observations about the health benefits of St Moritz’s mineral springs were published.
Mentioned in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, as well as For Your Eyes only in 1981, the skiing scenes in other Bond movies , The Spy WHo Loved Me and A View To Kill were also filmed in St Moritz.
St Moritz was also featured in the opening scenes of The Man Who Knew Too Much, a 1984 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
The surrounding countryside also provides magnificent views. And some unusual buildings.
This castle is actually a private home.
Not surprisingly, St Moritz is also home to some prominent property owners, including Gunter Sachs, Herbert Von Karajan, Lakshmi Mittal, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Maurizio Gucci, and Giorgio Armani.
The best, and easiest, way to get to St Moritz is by train. And the countryside it passes through on the way is also magnificent.
