Nietzsche Haus

The Engadine


Sils-Maria might be a sleepy lakeside village now, but the rumble of existential philosophy once reverberated around these peaks, courtesy of Friedrich Nietzsche who spent his summers here from 1881 to 1888 writing texts concerning the travails of modern man, including Thus Spake Zarathustra. Housed in a geranium-bedecked chalet, the little museum contains a collection of photos, memorabilia and letters.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Engadine attractions

1. Corvatsch 3303

2.95 MILES

Ride the spectacular Corvatsch cable cars from Silvaplana-Surlej (1870m) to the Murtèl mid-station (2702m), then from Murtèl to the top – at a stunning…

2. Julier Pass

3.47 MILES

The Julier Pass (2284m) sits above Silvaplana, 7km to the west. The pass has been in use since Roman times and remains of a Roman temple have been found…

3. Segantini Museum

5.49 MILES

Housed in an eye-catching stone building topped by a cupola, this museum shows the paintings of Giovanni Segantini (1858–99). The Italian artist…

4. Engadiner Museum

5.59 MILES

For a peek at the archetypal dwellings and humble interiors of the Engadine Valley, visit this museum showing traditional stoves and archaeological finds.

5. Chesa Futura

5.98 MILES

The Norman Foster–designed Chesa Futura ('House of the Future' in Romansch), an eco-friendly apartment building of breathtaking architectural design, can…

6. Muottas Muragl Bahn

7.91 MILES

This fun old funicular railway, the first in the Engadine Valley dating from 1907, takes its passengers up over 700 vertical metres to Punt Muragl (2454m)…

7. Stampa

10.2 MILES

Stampa, a village of 595, was the home of the artist Alberto Giacometti (1901–66), and is the location of the valley's tourist office. Easily accessed by…

8. Museo Ciäsa Granda

10.3 MILES

While this museum focuses on the works of the Giacomettis and Varlin, it also has good exhibits on the geology, flora and fauna of Val Bregaglia.