The Elixir of St. Moritz

The Ancient Spring – A Heritage Flowing Since the Bronze Age

Long before the first skier carved a track in the snow, long before the first hotelier made a wager on the winter sun, there was the water. The story of St. Moritz begins not on the mountain peaks, but deep within the earth, at an unassuming spot from which an iron-rich, carbonated spring has bubbled for millennia: the Mauritius Spring. It is the true origin, the elemental heart from which the town's entire reputation as a place of healing and rejuvenation has grown.

Archaeological finds confirm that the Celts, as far back as the late Bronze Age around 1411 BC, recognised and utilised the special power of this water. Votive offerings, swords, and needles discovered at the bottom of the spring testify to its early veneration. They used hollowed-out larch trunks to capture the precious, naturally carbonated water.

From this single spring, the perspective widens to the entire water system that has shaped the landscape and life in the Engadin. The River Inn (or “En” in Romansh), which gives the valley its name – Engadin, the “Garden of the Inn” – rises here and flows through the high plateau and its lakes like a string of pearls. Mighty glaciers such as the Morteratsch act as vast, frozen water reservoirs that feed this system in summer. Water here is omnipresent, manifesting in three states: liquid in the lakes and rivers, solid as ice and snow on the glaciers and peaks, and gaseous as the dry, clear air that fills the valley.

 

The history of St. Moritz is therefore a story of two fundamental discoveries, separated by more than 3,000 years. The first was the discovery of its subterranean treasure – the mineral water – by the Celts. The second was the discovery of its atmospheric treasure – the winter sun and pure air. Understanding that the water came first lends the entire narrative of St. Moritz a deeper, more elemental dimension. It anchors the identity of the place not just in the glamour of winter sports, but in a 3,500-year-old tradition of well-being that springs directly from the earth. This article follows the water on its journey through its various forms and explores its profound and special relationship with the region.

The Healing Draught: The Iron-Rich Water of the Mauritius Spring

The heart of St. Moritz's healing tradition is, and always has been, the Mauritius Spring. Its history is a fascinating testament to how a natural resource can shape a town's reputation over centuries and draw people from all over Europe.

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The spring's journey to world fame was driven by two key figures. In 1519, the Medici Pope Leo X promised a full indulgence for their sins to all pilgrims who travelled to the church at the spring, making the site a significant spiritual destination. A few years later, in 1535, the famous physician and naturopath Paracelsus visited St. Moritz. He was so impressed by the quality of the water that he praised it as one of the finest healing springs in Europe, thereby establishing its medical reputation. During the Belle Époque, from the 17th to the 19th century, spa tourism reached its zenith. European nobles, dukes, and princes undertook the arduous journey to “take the cure” in the Engadin and benefit from the water’s healing effects.

Scientific analysis confirms the spring’s uniqueness. Its water is characterised by an exceptionally high content of iron and dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂), which gives it its distinctive, slightly metallic taste and sparkling nature. Chemically, it is an acidic calcium-sodium-magnesium-bicarbonate water with a total mineralisation of around 1.8 g/l and a constant, cool temperature of 4–6°C. Particularly remarkable is the chemical stability of the spring. Analyses conducted over a period of 234 years, from 1788 to 2022, show that the composition of the water has remained largely unchanged – impressive proof of its deep, protected origin.

The traditionally ascribed healing properties are directly linked to this unique composition. The high iron content was said to have blood-forming properties, while the carbonic acid, when bathing, penetrates the skin and stimulates circulation. Drinking the water was credited with having a positive effect on the stomach and intestines.

The Elixir of St. Moritz: A Chemical Profile of the Mauritius Spring

Today, the Forum Paracelsus commemorates this rich history and makes the spring accessible to visitors. It remains the silent yet powerful foundation upon which the global fame of St. Moritz was built.

The High Valley's Playground: The Lakes and Rivers of the Engadin

When the water from the depths of the earth reaches the surface, it unfolds in its most dynamic and vibrant form. The liquid waters of the Engadin – the mighty River Inn and the chain of high alpine lakes – create a landscape of incomparable beauty and provide a stage for a broad spectrum of activities, from quiet contemplation to adrenaline-fuelled sport.

The valley's lifeblood is the River Inn, which rises near the Maloja Pass and flows through the high plateau. On its way, it feeds the four great lakes of the Upper Engadin: Lake Sils, Lake Silvaplana, Lake Champfèr, and Lake St. Moritz. Together with countless smaller, romantic mountain lakes hidden in the forests, they form the famous Engadin lake plateau.

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The experience on these lakes is defined by a remarkable daily rhythm, created by one of the most famous winds in the Alps. The morning belongs to tranquillity. The lakes often lie mirror-smooth, their surfaces reflecting the majestic peaks and the deep blue sky. This is the perfect time for quiet activities. One can glide almost silently across the water on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), explore the shores by kayak or rowing boat, or take a refreshing dip in one of the lakes, which can warm up to 20°C in summer. Particularly idyllic bathing spots like Lake Staz offer an unforgettable natural experience.

But towards midday, the valley awakens to new life. On sunny summer days, the Maloja wind reliably sets in, a thermal wind that blows up from the Bergell valley, transforming the mirror-smooth surfaces into a choppy sea crowned with whitecaps. This transformation makes the Engadin lakes, especially Lake Silvaplana, a global mecca for windsurfers and kitesurfers. With constant wind speeds of 3 to 6 Beaufort, they find ideal conditions here to race across the water at high speed and perform spectacular jumps. At the same time, Lake St. Moritz and Lake Sils become the stage for prestigious sailing regattas, where the colourful sails against the alpine backdrop create a breathtaking scene.

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This daily duality is one of the unique characteristics of the Engadin. It offers two completely different moods and experiences in a single day: the meditative calm of the morning for the wellness-seeker and the adrenaline rush of the afternoon for the adventurer. A guest can time their day by this natural clock – a peaceful paddle at sunrise, followed by the exhilarating spectacle of the kitesurfers after lunch. It is a unique offering that few other destinations can provide with such dependable regularity. Away from the lakes, numerous streams and rivers invite one to go fishing, while in the wilder Lower Engadin, white-water rafting provides a thrill.

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The Frozen Kingdom: Of Glaciers, Ice, and Winter Spectacles

When the temperatures drop, the water in the Engadin undergoes its final and perhaps most dramatic transformation. It freezes into ice and snow, creating a world of silent, monumental beauty and vibrant activity. This solid form of water connects the geological deep time of the glaciers with the ephemeral yet brilliant culture that blossoms on the frozen lakes of the valley.

The origin of this frozen kingdom lies high up in the mountains. The Morteratsch Glacier, the largest in the Bernina Group, is a vast river of ice that pushes its way down into the valley from the peaks of Piz Bernina and Piz Palü. It is the great “natural water tower” of the region. Over the summer months, it slowly releases meltwater, which feeds the rivers and lakes and stabilises the entire valley ecosystem. At the same time, the glacier is a silent witness to climate change. Since 1878, it has retreated by more than 2.8 kilometres – a change that is impressively visualised by markers along the glacier trail, vividly demonstrating to visitors the dynamics of our planet. Where the ice recedes, new life emerges: pioneer plants like mosses and lichens colonise the mineral-rich soil, creating the foundation for a unique alpine flora and fauna.

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In the valley, the lakes transform into thick, stable sheets of ice in winter and become the stage for some of the most exclusive and spectacular events in the world. This tradition of using the ice as a platform for culture and sport is deeply rooted in the identity of St. Moritz. The most famous event is "White Turf," a horse race on the frozen Lake St. Moritz that has been attracting international high society since 1907. Added to this are polo tournaments on snow and even cricket on ice – unique spectacles that celebrate the surreal beauty of the frozen landscape.

Recently, a new yet historically rooted activity has established itself on these frozen surfaces: ice bathing in Lake St. Moritz. This modern wellness trend brings the centuries-old tradition of hydrotherapy in the region full circle. The brief, intense contact with the ice-cold water is said to stimulate the immune system, promote circulation, and impart a feeling of clarity and vitality. It is a return to the elemental forces of water that the very first visitors sought over 3,000 years ago.

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This relationship between glacier and lake creates a profound narrative link of “Source and Stage.” The glacier is the slow, ancient source of the water, a symbol of geological time and indomitable natural force. The frozen lake is the ephemeral winter stage for human culture, sport, and spectacle. This cycle connects the planet's past with humanity's present, making the experience of winter in the Engadin a profound engagement with nature and our place within it.

A Complete Immersion in the Engadin

A visit to St. Moritz and the Engadin is more than just a trip to a beautiful landscape. It is a complete immersion in the element of water, which defines this region in all its facets. It is an encounter with water in all its forms: the healing, iron-rich draught from the ancient Mauritius Spring; the lakes with their dual personalities, offering both serenity and adrenaline; the monumental, life-sustaining glaciers that speak of deep time; and the frozen winter stage that serves as a backdrop for sport, culture, and modern well-being.

The water here is not a passive background but an active participant in the visitor's experience. It heals, it invigorates, it challenges, and it inspires. It is the invisible force that has shaped the landscape, written the history, and created a culture of wellness and luxury. We invite you to embark on this elemental journey yourself. Come to taste the water, to swim in it, to sail upon it, and to stand in awe of its frozen splendour. Our establishment provides the perfect, luxurious starting point for this unforgettable immersion into the soul of the Engadin.

Free Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)	approx. 2500 mg/l	Creates the natural effervescence.  When bathing, it is absorbed through the skin  and stimulates circulation,  creating a tingling sensation.
Iron (Fe)	High concentration	The most important therapeutic ingredient.  Traditionally used to treat anaemia  and to strengthen the blood.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)	Main anion	Acts as a natural antacid and  is traditionally said to aid digestion.
Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium	Key cations	Essential minerals for bodily functions.
Total Mineral Content	approx. 1.8 g/l	A moderately high mineral content,  indicating its long journey  through mineral-rich rock strata.

Water is the elemental foundation upon which the 3,500-year history of St. Moritz rests. Yet it was the discovery of another, invisible treasure that transformed this place into a world-famous winter destination: its crisp, sun-drenched, and demonstrably revitalising air.

Learn more about the legendary "Champagne Climate" here: 
The Fresh Air of St. Moritz: A Breath of Life