Exhibits

www.nietzschehaus.ch Thanks to its curator Peter Villwock and the three guardian angels Mirella Carbone, Joachim Jung and Peter A. Bloch, the house where Friedrich Nietzsche spent his summers from 1881 to 1888 is a true cultural focal point of Sils-Maria. Open every afternoon except Mondays (starting Dec. 20). Guided tours Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.

Current special exhibits at the Nietzsche Haus include “Nietzsche in Basel – his relationship with Jacob Burckhardt”; drawings by Gerhard Altenbourg from his “Ecce Homo” cycle; Nietzsche’s “Malling-Hansen” typewriter; the Nietzschehaus library with autographs, first editions and dedicated copies from the Rosenthal Levy Collection.

Robbi Museum in Sils-Maria: a small but worthwhile exhibit devoted to the works of Andrea Robbi (1864-1945), a remarkable painter who spent his last fifty years in total isolation here in the middle of his native village. Starting Dec. 21, open daily 4 to 6 p.m. except Mondays.

Currently at the Robbi Museum, on the initiative of www.stephanwitschi.ch: a pairing of works by Berlin-based wood sculptor Peter Kröning (b.1971) www.peter-kroening.de with Andrea Robbi’s paintings and drawings.

And right here, with wit and whimsy. Hidden away, the Waldhaus has its own small "museum" for everything that we no longer use but still value. Wittily reinterpreted by artist Giuseppe Reichmuth. Shown on back-stage tours only, once or twice a week.

In St. Moritz the Engadine Museum (reawakened by a new director), the Segantini Museum and the Berry Museum are worth a visit, www.engadiner-museum.ch www.segantini-museum.ch www.berrymuseum.com

In Pontresina, try the ‘Museum Alpin’. Current special show (through October 2012): trains, cable cars and lifts in the Engadine, 1839-1939 = a century of dreams and accomplishments.

The Park Center of the Swiss National Park in Zernez, 30 miles from here, is now open in winter as well. Wonderful interactive exhibits on our region's plant and animal life, ecology, geology, culture and history. Fully accessible to English, French and Italian speakers. Winter hours: at a minimum, 9 to 12 and 2 to 5 from Monday to Friday (extended hours and days during certain periods). www.nationalpark.ch

The gallery scene. More and more art galleries have sprung up in our region, such as www.galerie-tschudi.ch and www.monicadecardenas.com in Zuoz, www.vonbartha.com in S-chanf or www.riss.ws in Samedan. or in St. Moritz (Curtins, Gmurzysnka, Bischofberger, Karsten Greve, Andrea Caratsch…). In Sils, more modestly, there’s Rudolf Maag’s Gallaria Chesina.