02:50

Ruth Deutschmann

Benjamin Epp

Galtür

2008-08-22

Sylvia Manning-Baumgartner

Nicole D´Incecco

1907

The first road down to the Inn valley, to Landeck, was made in 1907. We used to go south over the passes to the Engadine or to Graubünden through the Klosters valley - it's called that because it leads to Klosters. The name doesn't have anything to do with a monastery. The smallest bell in the belfry of Galtür is one of the oldest in Tyrol. The bell is from 1443 and arrived to Galtür by the old route. Until the diocese of Innsbruck was founded 125 years ago we were part of the diocese of Chur. So, church-wise we were actually Swiss. We always had to be self sufficient and have stayed that way also because we were a bit - how should I say? - cut off geographically. As far as possible we settle everything ourselves, that is reflected in our society. We are the highest settlement of the valley. Sometimes the people from further down make fun of us because it's difficult to live where we do so high up and so cold, and the winter so long. They say we only have two seasons up here. Then we ask: "Why?" And they answer: "Well, you have only four months of summer and eight months of cold weather." We don't have any other seasons. Of course the climate is reflected in our behaviour, how we treat each other and communicate. Similar to the way the Walser were, we are settlers who want to be independent but do like seeing a neighbour once in a while. We like to be left alone but it's also good to know that the neighbour will come if needed. It works both ways. He also knows that if I notice something amiss, I'll be the first to come and check on him