Via Sett: Bergeller in Bivio

The Septimer was not only crossed by kings, armies and merchants, but also by peasant families. Bregaglia was overpopulated in the Middle Ages, as there were too few Alps and pastures. Therefore, Bergell farmers came with their cows in summer from Soglio and Castasegna over the Septimer Pass to Bivio. Documents prove that as early as 1579 Bergeller owned land in Bivio, but logging was forbidden to them. It was not until 1678 that the farmers of Bergell fought for this right and were able to build stables and settle in Bivio.  

In the audio contribution, Reto Gini, Clara Giovanoli and Ita Giovanoli talk about their childhood between Bergell and Bivio. They grew up in Bivio, but their families come from Bregaglia. In the first half of the 20th century, they remember how they regularly walked with their parents via the Septimer to Bregaglia and back to Bivio.