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Davos (, ; or ; ; Old ) is an Alps resort town and municipality in the Prättigau/Davos Region in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It has a permanent population of (). Davos is located on the river Landwasser, in the Rhaetian Alps, between the Plessur Range and .
The municipality covers nearly the entire valley of the Landwasser, and the centre of population, economic activity and administration is two adjacent villages, Davos Dorf (engl.: Davos Village) and Davos Platz (Davos Place), which are above sea level.
Gaining prominence in the 19th century as a mountain Luftkurort, Davos is perhaps best known today for hosting the World Economic Forum, an annual meeting of global political and corporate leaders. With its long history of winter sports, Davos also has one of Switzerland's largest ski resorts and hosts the international Spengler Cup, an ice hockey tournament, every December.
In 1436, the League of the Ten Jurisdictions was founded in Davos.Pfister, Max (1989).p.15 In 1438, Davos received additional rights in an agreement in which the League of the Ten Jurisdictions and the rights received in the older treaty from 1289 were both acknowledged.Pfister, Max (1989).p.16 With this agreement, Davos was exempted from trade taxes in the territory of the Ten Jurisdictions and only obliged to provide men for military services within the territory of eight of the Ten Jurisdictions. In 1443 Davos came under the control of the Counts of Montfort, under which Davos also retained its rights. In 1450 an alliance between the League of the Ten Jurisdictions and the League of God's House was signed. The Counts of Montfort reached a financial impasse and sold Davos to Duke Sigmund of Tyrol in 1466. This lead Davos to search for support of the two other Rhaetic leagues and a treaty with the Grey League was reached in 1471.Pfister, Max (1989).p.17 As a result, Davos refused to follow the orders of the Austrian Empire. Eventually a compromise was found, under which Davos would come under the control of the House of Matsch, but Austria kept a right to repurchase Davos.
From the middle of the 19th century, Davos, modeled on Görbersdorf (now Sokołowsko), became a popular destination for the sick and ailing because the microclimate in the high valley was deemed excellent by doctors (initiated by Alexander Spengler) and recommended for lung disease patients. Robert Louis Stevenson, who suffered from tuberculosis, wintered in Davos in 1880 on the recommendation of his Edinburgh physician George Balfour. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote an article about skiing in Davos in 1899. A sanatorium in Davos is also the inspiration for the Berghof Sanitorium in Thomas Mann's novel Der Zauberberg ( The Magic Mountain). Between 1936 and 1938, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, then at the end of his life and living in Davos since 1917, depicted Davos and the Junkerboden. His painting has a both Romanticism and pantheistic atmosphere and simplified formal structure.
The several sanatoria in Davos attracted a great number of German patients, of which many remained in Davos. As a result, during World War II, in which Switzerland remained neutral, Davos was a centre of Nazi activity in Switzerland. Nowhere else in the country were there more Nazi Party members as a share of the population. In the many German-led sanatoria and schools, Nazi salutes and flags were de rigueur. Swiss Nazi leader Wilhelm Gustloff's 1936 assassination in Davos led to tensions with Nazi Germany. At the end of the war, Federal Councillor Ernst Nobs described Davos as "more nazi-infested than any other Swiss place". In 2022, Davos mayor Philip Willhelm commissioned a study from historian Stefan Keller documenting the history of Nazi influence in Davos.
During the natural ice era of , Davos and the Davos Eisstadion were a mecca for speed skating. Many international championships were held here, and many world records were set, beginning with Peder Østlund who set four records in 1898. The only European Bandy Championship was held in the town in 1913. Subsequently, Davos became a ski resort, especially frequented by tourists from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. After peaking in the 1970s and 1980s, the city settled down as a leading but less high-profile tourist attraction. The American Van Leer family immigrated from here with their former Valär surname. Today Valärs still live and are members of government.
The municipality of Davos () has an area (as of the 2004/09 survey) of , including most of the Landwasser valley and its side valleys.
Of that area, about 35.0% is used for agricultural purposes, and 22.2% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 2.3% is settled (buildings or roads) and 40.5% is unproductive land. In the 2004/09 survey a total of or about 1.2% of the total area was covered with buildings, an increase of over the 1985 amount. Over the same time period, the amount of recreational space in the municipality increased by and is now about 0.22% of the total area. Of the agricultural land, is fields and grasslands and consists of alpine grazing areas. Since 1985 the amount of agricultural land has decreased by . Over the same time period the amount of forested land has increased by . Rivers and lakes cover in the municipality. Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Regional portraits accessed 27 October 2016
The Wolfgang Pass divides the waters flowing into the Landquart from the valley of the Landwasser, and has a year-round road and Rhaetian Railway connection. Crossing the pass leads to the village of Klosters and the Prättigau. Three long side valleys reach out to the south from the main valley of the Landwasser, one of which leads to the Flüela Pass and the Engadin beyond.
Smaller populated places in the municipality are the village of Davos Clavadel, the hamlets of Laret, Wolfgang, Obem See, Meierhof, Stilli, Bünda, and Spina (in the main Landwasser valley), and Tschuggen, Dörfji, In den Büelen, Hof, Teufi, Gadmen, Am Rin, Dürrboden, Sertig Dörfli, Oberalp, Inneralp (in the side valleys).
Until 2017, the municipality was located in the Davos subdistrict of the Prättigau/Davos district. Since 2017, it is part of the Prättigau/Davos Region. Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz - Mutationsmeldungen 2016 accessed 16 February 2017. In terms of area, it was the largest municipality in Switzerland in 2009 after a municipal merger with Davos Wiesen. Davos lost that distinction after the formation of Glarus Süd in 2010 and today is the fourth-largest municipality in the canton of Graubünden.
The wettest month is August during which time Davos receives an average of of precipitation. During this month there is precipitation for an average of 13.6 days. The month with the most days of precipitation is July, with an average of 13.8, but with only of precipitation. The driest month of the year is February with an average of of precipitation over 7.9 days, of which in 11.1 days are snowfall.
, Davos's Small Country Council is made up of two members of SP (Social Democratic Party), of whom one is the president), and one each of FDP (FDP.The Liberals), SVP (Swiss People's Party), and GLP (Green Liberal Party). The last regular election ( Landschaftswahlen) was held on 22 September 2024.
The sessions of the Grand Country Council are public. They usually meet ten times a year. Members of the Grand Country Council are not politicians by profession, and they are paid a fee based on their attendance. Any resident of Davos allowed to vote can be elected as a member of the Grand Country Council for a maximal period of twelve years.
The last regular election of the Grand Country Council was held on 22 September 2024 for the mandate period () from January 2025 to December 2028. Currently the Grand Country Council consist of 5 (-1) Liberals (FDP/PLR), 5 (+2) Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC), 4 (+1) members of Social Democratic Party (SP/PS), 2 (+1) Center Party, and 1 (-1) members of the Green Liberal Party (glp/pvl).
In the 2019 federal election the most popular party was the SP with 21.3% (+7.6) of the votes. The next four parties were the SVP (20.0%, -10.0), FDP (10.1%, -10.3), CVP (6.8%, +1.6), and the glp (6.8%, -5.3). In the federal election, a total of 2'885 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 41.8%.
In the 2015 federal election the most popular party was the SVP with 30.0% of the votes. The next five parties were the FDP (20.4%), the BDP (15.8%), the SP (14.7%), the glp (12.1%), and CVP (5.2%). In the federal election, a total of 3,231 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 46.7%.
Most of the population () speaks German language (86.3%), with Serbo-Croatian being second most common (2.8%) and Italian being third (2.7%). Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 28-Oct-2009
, children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 17.3% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) are 64.5% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 18.2%. In 2015 there were 5,099 single residents, 4,666 people who were married or in a civil partnership, 550 widows or widowers and 794 divorced residents. Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geschlecht, Zivilstand und Geburtsort accessed 8 September 2016
In 2014 there were 5,441 private households in Davos with an average household size of 2.03 persons. Of the 2,133 inhabited buildings in the municipality, in 2000, about 30.7% were single family homes and 39.1% were multiple family buildings. Additionally, about 25.9% of the buildings were built before 1919, while 8.3% were built between 1991 and 2000. Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Thema 09 - Bau- und Wohnungswesen accessed 5 May 2016 In 2013 the rate of construction of new housing units per 1000 residents was 23.46. The vacancy rate for the municipality, , was 0.71%.
, there were a total of 8,853 people employed in the municipality. Of these, a total of 203 people worked in 80 businesses in the primary economic sector. The secondary sector employed 996 workers in 145 separate businesses. Finally, the tertiary sector provided 7,654 jobs in 926 businesses. In 2014 a total of 5,211 employees worked in 908 small companies (less than 50 employees). There were 17 mid sized businesses with 2,074 employees and 1 large business which employed 369 people. Federal Statistical Office -Arbeitsstätten und Beschäftigte nach Gemeinde, Wirtschaftssektor und Grössenklasse accessed 31 October 2016 In 2014 a total of 23.5% of the population received social assistance.
In 2015 local hotels had a total of 797,348 overnight stays, of which 46.9% were international visitors. Federal Statistical Office - Hotellerie: Ankünfte und Logiernächte der geöffneten Betriebe accessed 31 October 2016
Besides cross-country skiing, offering some of pistes, Davos has the largest natural ice skating field in Europe. Bandy is occasionally played there. An international tournament, starting in 2014, has been organised. The 1913 European Bandy Championships in Davos is so far the only one of its kind.
There are six main ski areas in winter, with a total of of slopes:
All areas offer summer transport as well on to the main peaks from mid May until end of October. The remote side valleys heading towards the area are worth long hikes towards the passes of Sertig or Scaletta Pass to reach, for example, Piz Kesch, an Ultra prominent peak. To the north there are no valleys but rather a direct one-day ascent to continue across a pass into the "Schanfigg" valley towards the rival resort of Arosa or even to continue to Lenzerheide in a two-day hike. Hiking Alps in Switzerland, Davos, Graubünden
These heritage sites include the Town Archives, the Kirchner Museum, Kirchner Museum, official website the Grosses Jenatschhaus (a type of charity house known as a Pfrundhaus) and the Forest Cemetery ( Waldfriedhof). Several hotels and spas are also included on the list. The three hotels or former hotels are: Berghotel Schatzalp, the former Grand Hotel Belvédère, and the Zürcher Höhenklinik von R. Gaberel. Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance 21.11.2008 version, accessed 28-Oct-2009
Davos hosts annual meetings of the World Economic Forum. The city was featured in an episode of Viva La Bam, when cities around Europe were visited. On 14 March 2003, a festival called Winterjam was held in the city and bands such as Sum 41, Crazy Town, and Guano Apes performed during this event.
The valley station Davos Dorf (Parsennbahn) of the funicular Parsennbahn to Weissfluhjoch (Parsenn) is in Davos Dorf, the station Davos Platz Schatzalpbahn of Schatzalp-Bahn in Davos Platz. Also in Davos Platz are the bottom stations of the cable car to the Jakobshorn, the station Davos Platz DKB (right next to the corresponding railway station), and also that of the chair lift to Usser Isch, namely the Davos Platz (Talstation Carjöl).
The bottom station of the lift to Rinerhorn is right next to RhB station Davos Glaris. The one ( Dörfji) of the Pischahorn area in the side valley of the Flüela, reachable by bus.
Local buses are operated by Verkehrsbetrieb der Landschaft Davos Gemeinde (vbd).
Politics
Government
The Small Country Council ( Kleiner Landrat) constitutes the executive government of the municipality of Davos and operates as a collegiate authority. It is composed of five councilors (), each presiding over a department ( Departement) comprising several bureaus. The president of the executive department acts as president of the municipality ( Landammann or Gemeindepräsident). In the mandate period 2025–2028 ( Legislatur) the Small Country Council is presided by Landammann Philipp Wilhelm. Departmental tasks, coordination measures and implementation of laws decreed by the Grand Country Council are carried by the Small Country Council. The regular election of the municipal councils by any inhabitant valid to vote is held every four years. Any resident of the municipality of Davos allowed to vote and being registered can be elected as a member of the Small Country Council for a maximal period of twelve years. The delegates are selected by means of a system of Majorz. The President is elected as such as well by a public election while the heads of the other departments are assigned by the collegiate. They usually meet once a week.
+ The Small Country Council ( Kleiner Landrat) of Davos
! Country Councilor
( Landrat/-rätin) !! Party !! Head of Department ( Vorsteher(in), since) of !! Elected since2020 2024 2024 2023 2020
Parliament
The Grand Country Council ( Grosser Landrat) holds Legislature. It is made up of 17 members, with elections held every four years. The Grand Country Council decrees regulations and by-laws that are executed by the Small Country Council and the administration. The delegates are selected by means of a system of Majorz.
Federal elections
National Council
In the 2023 federal election the most popular party was the SVP with 29.1%, (+9.1) of the votes. The next four parties were the SP (17.4%, -3.9), Central Party (16.4%, +10.6), FDP (15.6%, +5.5), and the glp (12.0%, +5.2). In the federal election, a total of 2'874 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 42.9%.
International relations
Sister Cities
Davos has sister city agreements with:
Demographics
Population
Davos has a population () of . , 27.0% of the population are resident foreign nationals. In 2015 7.3% of the population was born in Germany and 6.9% of the population was born in Portugal. Federal Statistical Office - Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geburtsort und Staatsangehörigkeit (Land) accessed 31 October 2016 Over the last four years (2010–2014) the population has changed at a rate of -0.27%. The birth rate in the municipality, in 2014, was 9.1, while the death rate was 8.2 per thousand residents.
Historic population
The historic population is given in the following chart: Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, 1850-2000 accessed 27 April 2016
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id:darkgrey value:gray(0.8)
ImageSize = width: auto height:200 barincrement:45
PlotArea = top:20 left:40 bottom:20 right:35
AlignBars = justify
DateFormat = x.y
Period = from:0 till:14000
TimeAxis = orientation:vertical
AlignBars = justify
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:darkgrey increment:2400 start:0
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightgrey increment:600 start:0
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color:yellowgreen width: 35 mark:(line,white) align:center
bar:1850 from:start till:1680 text:"1,680"
bar:1860 from:start till:1705 text:"1,705"
bar:1870 from:start till:2002 text:"2,002"
bar:1880 from:start till:2865 text:"2,865"
bar:1888 from:start till:3891 text:"3,891"
bar:1900 from:start till:8089 text:"8,089"
bar:1910 from:start till:9905 text:"9,905"
bar:1920 from:start till:9727 text:"9,727"
bar:1930 from:start till:11164 text:"11,164"
bar:1941 from:start till:9259 text:"9,259"
bar:1950 from:start till:10433 text:"10,433"
bar:1960 from:start till:9588 text:"9,588"
bar:1970 from:start till:10238 text:"10,238"
bar:1980 from:start till:10468 text:"10,468"
bar:1990 from:start till:10957 text:"10,957"
bar:2000 from:start till:11417 text:"11,417"
bar:2010 from:start till:11237 text:"11,237"
bar:2014 from:start till:11136 text:"11,136"
bar:2015 from:start till:12624 text:"12,624"
Education
In Davos about 74% of the population (ages 25–64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either a university or a Fachhochschule).
Economy
Davos is a tourist community and a regional center.
Religion
From the , 5,321 residents (46.6% of the population) belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church while 3,950 residents (34.6%) are Roman Catholic. Of the rest of the population, there were 10 individuals (or about 0.09% of the population) who belong to the Christian Catholic faith, 439 individuals (3.85% of the population) who belonged to the Orthodox Church, 274 (2.40%) who belonged to another Christian church, 79 (0.69%) who were Islam, 56 (0.49%) who belonged to another faith (not listed), and eight residents (0.07%) were Judaism. In addition, 832 residents (7.29%) belonged to no faith, were Agnosticism or Atheism, and 448 individuals (3.92%) did not answer the question. Graubunden Population Statistics accessed 21 September 2009
Sports
Davos's ice hockey team, HC Davos, plays in the National League (NL). Their home arena is the Vaillant Arena. In December of each year, the team and arena host the Spengler Cup, an international tournament first held in 1923.
Culture
Davos is home to seven sites that are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance.
Transport
Davos is part of the rail network of the Rhaetian Railway. The RhB has two main stations in Davos: (northeast) and (southwest). Other stations in the municipality include and towards Klosters, and , , , and towards Filisur.
Research
Davos has several research institutes: the AO Foundation focusing on trauma and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), the World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) and the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
Notable people
The arts
Politics, public service and business
Science, medicine & TB patients
Sport
See also
Further reading
External links
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