A historic jewel in Soglio

Behind the clear, austere facade of the baroque palazzo, a strictly structured Renaissance garden surprisingly reveals itself, its layout having remained almost unchanged to this day.

The garden was probably laid out shortly after 1701, when Baptista von Salis, Commissioner of Chiavenna, had the house extended. Nothing suggests the extensive interventions that were necessary at the time. Entire rows of houses had to be demolished, their walls later cleverly integrated into the garden's architecture. The resulting complex combines French symmetry with Italian sophistication and stands in exciting contrast to the wild mountain landscape, which remains visible at its edges.

The garden is divided into six strictly defined «Compartiments de Parterre,» separated by two main axes and a double transverse axis. Box hedges, subtle terracing, and flower-filled beds characterized the layout. Much remains unknown, as no historical plans exist. However, hints of pavilions, decorative wall elements, and magnificent «topiary» boxwood figures suggest its former baroque splendor.

The plants were of central importance to the garden. Correspondence reveals that the Salis family maintained an impressive collection of flowering plants, including exotic potted plants and bitter oranges, for which their gardens were renowned. Particularly striking today are three historic tree peonies, whose varieties trace back to Chinese and Japanese cultivars and envelop the garden in fragrant colors in May.

A later highlight emerged in the 19th century with the planting of sequoias (1884). Today, one still stands in the garden, among the oldest and most magnificent specimens in Graubünden. At the time, they were deliberately positioned to emphasize the old garden axes, almost as if replacing the former baroque pavilions.

The garden of Palazzo Salis is more than a place of tranquility. It tells a story of cultural history, botanical passion, and a family that cultivated garden art for centuries. Visitors today not only glimpse a piece of the past but discover a living ensemble of architecture, nature, and history.