Klosters: Exploring Local Place and Field Names

Prättigau Marketing has announced a reading event featuring Markus Zoja focused on the local place names and field names of Klosters, Switzerland. The event, titled Klosters – Alles hat einen Namen (Klosters – Everything has a Name), explores the historical and descriptive significance of the region’s toponymy.

The initiative highlights how field names provide insight into the landscape and history of the municipality. Klosters, located in the Prättigau region of the canton of Grisons, serves as a key destination for both tourism and local cultural preservation.

Regional Context and Administration

Klosters is a Swiss village in the Prättigau and is administratively part of the municipality of Klosters. Previously known as Klosters-Serneus, the municipality shortened its name to Klosters in 2021.

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The municipality is situated within the district of Prättigau/Davos in the canton of Grisons. It shares a border with Austria and is located 10 kilometers north of Davos.

According to administrative records, the municipality covers a total area of 193.16 square kilometers. As of December 2020, the total population was 4,416, resulting in a population density of 22.86 people per square kilometer.

Geography and Local Districts

The village structure of Klosters is divided into several distinct areas. The two primary parts are Klosters Dorf (Village) and Kloster Platz (Place). Additional settlements within the area include Selfranga, Äuja and Monbiel.

Other identified districts within the broader Klosters area include Serneus and Mezzaselva. Among these, Klosters Platz is noted as the most popular district, serving as the location for the tourist office and the majority of local events and activities.

The topography of the region varies significantly, with the elevation at the Evang.-ref. Kirche Klosters Platz standing at 1,205 meters. The highest point in the area is Verstanclahorn, which reaches an elevation of 3,298 meters.

Economic and Tourism Infrastructure

Klosters operates as a significant holiday and excursion destination, leveraging its proximity to Davos and its versatile alpine environment. The village is part of the extended Davos Klosters ski area, which features over 300 kilometers of groomed pistes.

The local economy is supported by a range of winter and summer activities, including:

• Skiing and snowboarding across various difficulty levels, from beginner slopes to black runs.
• Winter hiking trails and snowshoeing.
• Tobogganing, specifically on the Gotschnaboden.
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides.

For international visitors, the nearest international airport is located in Zurich, approximately 150 kilometers from the Klosters ski resort.

Historical Development

The historical record of Klosters dates back to 1222, when it was first mentioned as ecclesiam sancti Iacobi. By 1436, the location was referenced as zuo dem Closter.

The administrative boundaries of the municipality have evolved over time. On January 1, 2016, the former municipality of Saas im Prättigau merged into the then-municipality of Klosters-Serneus.