Chiavenna stands where the roads to the Splügen and the Maloja divide, and the Romans saw the point first: from Clavenna the via Regina ran to the river port of Cremona, the via Spluga to the pass. The name probably comes from a pre-Roman word, clava, a site on an alluvial fan; the Latin clavis, key of the passes, is now less credited.
Under the Republic of the Three Leagues of the Grisons the town became a refuge for Italian reformers — Agostino Mainardi, Pietro Paolo Vergerio — seeking the freedom of worship denied them at home. Around the town open the crotti, cavities among the boulders of old landslides crossed by the Sorèl, a draught steady near eight degrees that ages wine and cured meats. On the first of May 1928 persons unknown tipped drums of fuchsine or aniline into the Mera and dyed it red: the regime had banned the holiday.
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📅 Every year, on 10 August; the Sagra dei Crotti since 1956, on the second September weekend
Chiavenna celebrates Saint Lawrence on 10 August, in the collegiate church dedicated to him. Since 1956 Chiavenna has hosted the famous Sagra dei Crotti, on the second weekend of September, drawing people from Italy and abroad every year.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Chiavenna, but an easy day trip away.
