Originally, the territory of modern Davos was used by the Rhaeto-Romanic population only as seasonal pasture. The first written mention of the toponym Tavaus appears in documents from 1213. However, Davos began to form as a permanent settlement in the second half of the 13th century, when German-speaking settlers from Upper Valais—the Walsers—arrived in this high-altitude valley.
Key Factors of Establishment
The city's development was predetermined by a unique combination of political will and geographical conditions:
Policy of the Barons von Vaz: The local feudal lords, the Barons von Vaz, were interested in settling the vacant high-altitude lands and invited colonists, granting them extensive territories.
Special Legal Status: A crucial factor was the charter of 1289, which granted the settlers so-called "Walser Law." Residents received personal freedom, the right to self-governance, and the free use of land in exchange for annual service, which was a unique phenomenon for feudal Europe.
Geography: The isolated location at an altitude of over 1,500 meters required stamina and specific survival skills from the residents, which united the community.
Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics
The arrival of the Walsers radically changed the cultural landscape of the region. The Rhaeto-Romanic language was almost completely replaced by the German dialect that is still spoken today. The economy of early Davos was based exclusively on Alpine livestock farming and agriculture adapted to the harsh climate. The architectural appearance of the settlement was shaped by characteristic wooden Walser houses, built from massive logs to protect against cold winters.
Timeline
Chronology of Davos's Development
1213 — First documented mention of the name Tavaus in historical chronicles.
1289 — Signing of the charter granting Walser settlers special rights, personal freedom, and self-governance.
1436 — Foundation of the League of the Ten Jurisdictions, with Davos as its administrative center.
1649 — The local community bought out the last sovereign rights from Austria, gaining full independence.
1853 — Arrival of physician Alexander Spengler, who discovered the unique healing properties of the local climate for treating pulmonary diseases.
1890 — Launch of the Landquart–Davos railway line, providing a reliable connection between the high-altitude valley and the outside world.
1899 — Opening of the funicular to Mount Schatzalp, where construction of the famous luxury sanatorium began.
1923 — The first Spengler Cup tournament is held, becoming the oldest and one of the most prestigious international ice hockey competitions.
1924 — Publication of Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain," set in one of the sanatoriums in Davos.
1931 — Launch of the Parsenn funicular, marking the beginning of the health resort's transformation into a world center for alpine skiing.
1971 — The first European Management Forum is held under the leadership of Klaus Schwab, the predecessor of the modern WEF.
1987 — The annual conference in Davos is officially renamed the World Economic Forum, solidifying the city's status as a global political platform.
Milestones
The Evolution of Davos: From Village to Global Hub
The history of Davos is an example of how a high-altitude community has managed to completely reinvent itself several times, adapting to the challenges of the times. Below are the key stages that shaped the city's modern economic and cultural identity:
Walser Colonization and Autonomy (13th Century) The conversion of seasonal pastures into a permanent settlement laid the foundation of the town. The arrival of Walser settlers not only changed the region's language to German but also brought a unique system of self-governance (the "League of the Ten Jurisdictions"). This formed the independent spirit of the locals and a specific type of scattered settlement pattern characteristic of the landscape.
Medical Renaissance (from 1853) The discovery of the healing properties of high-altitude air by physician Alexander Spengler was a turning point. Davos transformed from a modest farming community into an elite, world-class pulmonary resort. This led to the first construction boom: grand stone sanatoriums and hotels replaced wooden chalets.
Transport Revolution (1890) The launch of the Rhaetian Railway brought the valley out of its geographical isolation. This event made the resort accessible to a mass flow of patients and travelers from all over Europe, giving a powerful boost to trade and turning Davos into a cosmopolitan city in the Alps.
Sporting Reorientation (Early 20th Century) As demand for climatic treatment began to decline with the emergence of new medicines, the city successfully shifted its focus. The construction of the legendary Parsenn funicular and the organization of the Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament turned Davos into a mecca for winter sports, ensuring economic stability in a new era.
Cultural Canonization (1924) The publication of Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain" immortalized the atmosphere of local sanatoriums in world literature. The city solidified its status as an intellectual center, becoming a magnet for writers, philosophers, and artists, including the expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
Era of Global Dialogue (since 1971) Klaus Schwab's founding of the forum that would later become the World Economic Forum (WEF) gave the city a new global mission. Davos became synonymous with world diplomacy and business, stimulating the development of congress tourism and premium infrastructure.
Rise of the "City of Knowledge" (Modern Day) In recent decades, the city has actively developed its scientific sector. Housing major research centers (such as the AO Foundation and the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research) has diversified the economy, making it less dependent on seasonal tourism.
Architecture
Architectural Identity and Urban Planning
The urban structure of Davos is unique for the Alpine region. Unlike most old European towns, it lacks a classic medieval center with a market square and fortress walls. Davos developed as a "ribbon city" (Bandstadt) along the main road in the Landwasser Valley, connecting two primary centers: Davos-Dorf and Davos-Platz.
The city's architecture is an eclectic mix, reflecting its transformation from a peasant community into an elite resort and a modern convention hub.
Traditions and the Walser Style (13th–19th Centuries)
The oldest layer of buildings, preserved in fragments, recalls the region's rural past.
Style: Vernacular wooden architecture.
Features: Traditional Walser houses were built from massive larch logs that blackened in the sun over time. They are characterized by small windows to retain heat and roofs designed to withstand heavy snow loads.
Where to see it: Individual historic chalets are preserved on the outskirts and side streets, as well as in the Guggerbachstrasse alley. A landmark site is St. Johann's Church with its spire dominating Davos-Platz (originally Late Gothic, rebuilt in the 20th century).
The Era of the Resort Boom and the "Davos Flat Roof" (1900–1930)
The city's evolution into a world-class pulmonary sanatorium gave birth to a unique architectural phenomenon.
Style: Modernism (Neues Bauen) and Historicism.
Innovation: This is where the famous "Davos Flat Roof" originated. Architect Rudolf Gaberel introduced flat roofs with internal drainage to prevent avalanches from falling onto the balconies where patients took their sunbaths. This made Davos a pioneer of modern architecture in the Alps.
Iconic Buildings:
Schatzalp Hotel: A former luxury Art Nouveau sanatorium located on a terrace above the town. It served as the inspiration for the sanatorium in Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain."
Zurich Height Clinic (Zürcher Höhenklinik): A striking example of early 20th-century Functionalism, featuring characteristic rows of south-facing balconies.
Modern Architecture and Postmodernism (since the 1980s)
Today, Davos is a testing ground for bold experiments by world-renowned architects, creating a contrast with the Alpine landscape.
Kirchner Museum: A masterpiece of minimalism designed by architects Gigon/Guyer. The concrete and frosted glass building is devoid of decoration, focusing attention on the play of natural light, which is crucial for viewing the Expressionist's paintings.
InterContinental Hotel (The "Golden Egg"): A futuristic oval-shaped building with a facade made of golden steel elements. It has become a new symbol of the city, standing out visually against the forest and mountains.
Congress Centre: A sleek and functional complex that is regularly expanded to accommodate participants of the World Economic Forum, demonstrating the pragmatic approach of contemporary Swiss architecture.
Notable People
Notable Figures in the City's History
Davos, first as a center for tuberculosis treatment and later as a global political and sporting capital, has always attracted extraordinary people. The lives of many pioneers, creators, and visionaries are linked to this city.
Alexander Spengler (1827–1901) Physician, Pioneer of Spa Treatment.
A German doctor who fled to Switzerland for political reasons. He was the first to notice that the locals did not suffer from tuberculosis and began to promote the healing properties of the high-altitude air in Davos. His work transformed a poor village into a world-famous pulmonary resort.
Willem Jan Holsboer (1834–1898) Entrepreneur, "Father" of the Rhaetian Railway.
A Dutch businessman who came to Davos to treat his wife. Realizing the area's tourism potential, he became the main initiator of the Landquart–Davos railway construction, which brought the region out of isolation. He also founded the famous Schatzalp sanatorium.
Thomas Mann (1875–1955) Writer, Nobel Prize Laureate.
Although Mann did not live in Davos permanently, his 1912 visit to his sick wife was a fateful moment for world literature. The impressions of his stay at a forest sanatorium formed the basis of his monumental novel "The Magic Mountain," which immortalized the city's early 20th-century atmosphere.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880–1938) Expressionist Painter.
The leader of "Die Brücke" art group moved to Davos to treat a nervous breakdown and lived here for the last 20 years of his life. Alpine landscapes and the daily life of local peasants became the primary themes of his later work. Today, a museum with the largest collection of his works operates in the city.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) Writer, Creator of Sherlock Holmes.
He brought his seriously ill wife to Davos, but entered the city's history not only as a man of letters. Conan Doyle was one of the pioneers of skiing in Switzerland. His article about a ski crossing over the Maienfelder Furka pass in a British magazine helped popularize winter sports in the Alps.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) Writer, Author of adventure novels.
The Scottish novelist spent two winters in Davos (1880–1882) for medical reasons. It was here, at Chalet "Am Stein," that he finished working on his most famous piece, "Treasure Island."
Klaus Schwab (born 1938) Economist, Founder of the World Economic Forum.
A professor at the University of Geneva who, in 1971, chose Davos as the venue for the European Management Forum. His initiative transformed the resort town into the premier platform for dialogue between global political and business leaders.
Paul Accola (born 1967) Alpine Skier.
A native of Davos who became a legend of Swiss sport. He is an overall World Cup winner and a multiple-time Olympic and World Championship medalist. His successes bolstered Davos's reputation as a center for professional winter sports.