Ritterhaus Chasa de Capol

Histoire depuis 1651

Today’s hotel, the Chasa de Capol, was first documented as a hospice with a refectory and private chapel in 1199. For several centuries it was the residence of the Venetian Polo family, who were made counts by Emperor Frederick III in 1481. For a long time, the power base of the Polos (Cà Polo, Capol) lay in their position as representatives of the various lords of the lands (Repubblica Veneta, Prince Bishopric of Chur, House of Habsburg), and they also acted as the administrators (secular provosts) of the nearby Benedictine Convent of St. John in Müstair. Augustine monks ran a hospice in the eastern tract, while the farm operations were located in the northern tract. During an extensive expansion in 1677, several rooms which still exist were added in Arolla pine. After a fire in the village in 1774, the roof of the building was redesigned. In 1838, the de Capol family of counts died out. The building increasingly fell into ruin and was only temporarily patched up. In 1954, the current owners purchased the property, initiating a new era in the life of the former manor with its medieval roots. Skillful renovations and careful additions created the current hotel which has its own theater including an orchestra pit. The preserved Carolingian cellar vault and window recesses, the great hall with Early Gothic window frames, the 1651 Capol-Imeldi family alliance coat of arms and numerous Arolla-pine-paneled rooms and tiled stoves deserve special mention. The 500-year old former hospice kitchen and the private chapel with its medieval ribbed vault are unique. The local dishes cooked by the owners in copper pans in the old kitchen are among the highlights of this historic hotel. The Chasa de Capol has been a member of Swiss Historic Hotels since 2006. (RF)