Klausner Art Colony 1874 – 1914
Chiusa/Klausen rose to become the “city of artists” in the late ’70s of the 19th century due to an incisive event in literature and history. The Vogelweide farm in nearby Lajener Ried was discovered to be the presumable birthplace of minnesinger Walther von der Vogelweide. Response among experts was enthusiastic and “Walther mania” attracted numerous writers and researchers to Chiusa/Klausen. The main initiator of this movement was Prof. Vincent von Zingerle Ignaz (1825-1895), who used to live at Castle Summersberg in Gudon/Gufidaun from 1880.
This was the time when Chiusa/Klausen flourished as a meeting point for artists. The city’s rustic appearance and homey ambience transformed it into one unique open-air workshop. Chiusa/Klausen’s appeal has been immortalized in a nearly endless number of artworks. From 1874 – 1920 alone close to 300 painters and sculptors stayed in Chiusa/Klausen.