Lai da Marmorera Monastery

Lai da Marmorera is an artificial reservoir in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons), Switzerland, formed by the Marmorera dam. The reservoir occupies a valley near the village of Marmorera in the Surses area.

The lake and surrounding shoreline are used for walking, local recreation and alpine views; paths around the reservoir allow short hikes and vantage points over the water. The most visible human feature is the dam at the outlet, which is integral to regional hydroelectric infrastructure.

The reservoir was created with the construction of the Marmorera dam; when the dam filled in the mid-20th century the original village of Marmorera was inundated and its inhabitants were relocated to a new settlement built above the reservoir.

The lake lies adjacent to the village of Marmorera in the Surses region of Graubünden, accessible from local mountain roads and situated within the highland valleys of eastern Switzerland.

• Dam completion and village relocation: The dam was completed in 1954, creating the reservoir and leading to the inundation and relocation of the original village of Marmorera.

What to See#

• Marmorera dam: The concrete gravity dam completed in 1954 that impounds the reservoir and supplies hydroelectric power.
• Submerged old village site: The site of the former village that was inundated when the reservoir filled; the original village was relocated to higher ground and a new Marmorera was built nearby.

Lai da Marmorera is reached via the Julier Pass road (Route 3) in Graubünden. From Savognin or Bivio the dam is a short drive; in summer the pass provides straightforward access by car. Local buses serve nearby villages seasonally.

• Visit the dam viewpoint for the surreal sight of the post-war modern village perched above the buried older settlement.
• Combine the visit with the Surses valley drive; the Julier Pass road provides dramatic alpine scenery en route.
• Respect private property: some lakeside paths cross private land, so stick to marked public trails.