Archivio regionale a Marca
Cultural archive, housed at a stopping point once used by the traders known as Säumer
The Fondazione Archivio a Marca in Mesocco has in its safekeeping many thousands of cultural and historical documents relating to the valleys of Mesocco and Calanca. The oldest of these documents dates back eight hundred years. Items of particular interest include donations from local families bearing the names Bertossa, Boldini, De Giacomi, Fasani, Tamò and Zendralli. The vast majority of these documents, which also include parchments, photographic plates, oil paintings and reproductions, have been digitally captured to make them available via an online database. Since 2011, the foundation has occupied a former stopping-place of traders in Mesocco. The building, which has been carefully restored to perform its new role, dates from the 17th century. It is one of the last buildings of its type remaining in the valley that relate to the historical trading routes that ran over the San Bernardino Pass. The Fondazione Archivio a Marca is a cultural archive for the valleys of Mesocco and Calanca. The material housed there, a large proportion of which is available online, covers a good eight centuries of history. The paper documents held on file include some 10,000 letters, 500 books and manuscripts, and more than 700 other historical printed items, postcards and photographs.
Fondazione Archivio a Marca
Casa a Marca di Sotto
Strada de la Stazión 9
6563 Mesocco
Tel. +41 (0)79 883 09 10
Access to the database: www.archivioamarca.ch/i-documenti
For the latest information on opening hours and guided tours, visit the institution's website.