Brusio: Circular Viaduct, Culture and Alpine Pastures

Brusio is in the Italian-speaking part of Graubünden and belongs to the Bernina region and Val Poschiavo. When planning a stay, you can focus on different themes: railway heritage, cultural history, high-altitude landscapes or local cuisine. This lets you shape your trip around the topics that interest you most.

The Bernina Railway’s circular viaduct

The Brusio circular viaduct is one of the Bernina Railway’s main attractions. The railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Rhaetian Railway. Above Brusio, the railway overcomes a considerable difference in elevation via the open circular viaduct. The double loop has a diameter of 100 metres. From Brusio station, an easy path leads to the viaduct; check current trail conditions before setting out.

Museums and local history

Casa Besta is Brusio’s cultural centre and houses the local museum. In the 18th century, the former farmhouse was converted into a stately residence for two noble families from Valtellina. The museum’s redesign, completed in 2026, preserves an exhibition of antique musical instruments and areas devoted to agriculture and crafts. It also highlights the distinctive features of the border region and the exchange of goods and ideas.

At the Museo del Tabacco Brusio, original machines from the 19th century are still in working order. They bring the history of tobacco production to life through sound, space and atmosphere. The museum presents the entire production process, from plant to product, and places the history of Valposchiavo in a global context.

The Reformed church also tells the story of the town: it was built between 1646 and 1661. An organ built by the Serassi company of Bergamo was added in 1786. Dendrochronological evidence dates the old church of San Romerio to 1055. Historically, it served hikers and shepherds who practised seasonal transhumance in summer along the mule track near the Bernina Pass.

High-altitude destinations and trails

San Romerio lies at 1,800 metres above Lago di Poschiavo. From there, the view stretches across Val Poschiavo to Tirano. The San Romerio mountain hut offers regional specialities and overnight accommodation from mid-May to the end of October; check availability for your dates. On 30 July 2026, the municipality announced that the Piaz–San Romerio mule track is closed until further notice. Check its current status before planning a hike along this route.

Alpe Pescia is a high-altitude summer pasture between 1,800 and 2,000 metres in the upper Val Saiento and a destination for hiking enthusiasts. Alpine cheese and unpasteurised butter are made there. Another destination on the Swiss-Italian border is Capanna Anzana, at 2,050 metres, between Valposchiavo and Valtellina. From a car park, you can reach the hut on foot via an easy ascent of about 45 minutes. Check current access conditions before setting out.

Chestnuts and culinary events

Brusio’s chestnut tradition includes two different methods of preparation: “brasché” are roasted over an open fire in a perforated pan, while “farüdi” are boiled in a pot. The Sagra della castagna takes place every year in mid-October in Campascio and Brusio, with cultural and gastronomic offerings. If you are travelling for the event, check the dates for that year.

PaneNeve also brings together food and hiking. This annual walk follows the Contrade di sopra between La Presa, Cotongio, Garbella and Selvaplana. Along the route, there are about ten stops serving local specialities; the programme may vary.

Getting to Brusio

You can reach Brusio station by train or PostBus. Include current timetables in your travel plans. Depending on whether you want to focus on the circular viaduct, the museums, the high-altitude destinations or a culinary event, your stay can take different directions.

Discover more destinations: Le Prese, Poschiavo.

Return to the main travel overview: Bernina.