St. Moritz

A high Alpine resort at about 1,800 metres in the Upper Engadine, on the southern slopes of the Albula Alps below Piz Nair, looking over the wide glaciated valley and its lake. It hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and 1948. Bronze Age votive offerings, swords and needles found at the base of the springs show the Celts had already found them. It is first mentioned around 1137–39 as ad sanctum Mauricium, and pilgrims came to drink the bubbling waters; in 1519 Pope Leo X promised full absolution to those who made the journey.