A Procession at the End of the Season - Alpabzug in Sent

The start and end of the season: these periods have been known in Graubünden for approximately 150 years and are a permanent fixture in the annual tourism calendar. In a farmer’s yearly calendar, other dates have played an important role for centuries: Alpauffahrt (driving cattle to alpine pastures), Milchmesstag (Milk Measuring Day), and Alpabfahrt (driving cattle from alpine pastures).

Just how deeply rooted these events were in Graubünden is demonstrated, for instance, by photographs taken by the linguistic researcher Chasper Pult. In autumn 1914, the promoter and researcher of the Romansh language documented an Alpabzug above Sent in the Lower Engadin. In one of the pictures, children carry flags, and the scene is reminiscent of a religious procession.

The Alpabzug certainly used to be an important occasion: Milk Measurement Day, which took place during the Alpsommer (the period between Alpauffahrt and Alpabfahrt), already gave an indication of the quantity and quality of alpine products to be expected. By the end of the alp season, it became clear how much cheese had been produced in total. The herders’ and dairymen’s return to the valley with their belongings, cheese, and cattle was eagerly anticipated and celebrated accordingly. And, of course, beautifully staged Alpabzüge still take place today.