District of Avers

	Although the territory in which the waters of the 
Averser Rhine are collected and the Italian territory of the 
Valle di Lei form a geographical unit, the Swiss part has 
always been divided, historically, politically, and 
linguistically.  The upper part, south of where the 
Starlerabach and the Reno di Lei flow into the Averser Rhine, 
is the most thinly populated district of the canton, with only 
270 inhabitants (1960).  The drop between Cröt and Cresta 
divides the land again into the lower valley, which embraces 
Campus Cröt and the Madriser Valley, and the upper valley with 
the Jufer and Bregalga Valleys.  In the south Avers borders on 
Bergell, and in the east on the Oberhalbstein.

	The District of Avers coincides in area with the 
commune of the same name, and this, in typical Walser fashion, 
is divided into seventeen parts.

	The name Avers in connected with Avero northeast of San 
Giacomo near Chiavenna, and it is possible that Avers was 
originally part of an alpine territory which belonged to 
Avero.  Phonologically there seems to be a connection between 
the Latin word Aper, meaning boar.

	The first settlement, although only sparse, began at 
the latest in the early Middle Ages.  The first settlers were a 
Romansh people, as can be seen from many field names - Campsut, 
Casal, etc.  The first documentary evidence of Avers can be 
found in a letter from the bishop dated 1354, conferring a 
hereditary fief.  it is most probable that the settlement in 
the upper part of the valley was made by the Walsers.  
Linguistic similarities point to a migration from the 
Rheinwald.  The first Walser to be named in a document is 
Johannes Ossang (Hosang), who is mentioned as being 
"ministralis in valle de Avero" (magistrate), in 1377.  This is 
evidence of the existence of an organised jurisdiction in the 
middle of the 14th century.

	The sovereign rights of the valley were in the hands of 
the Bishop of Chur, who ceded the bailiwick to the Lords of 
Marmels.  They had like the Salis family from Soglio, estates 
in Avers, which points to the close relations of the Walsers in 
Avers with the Romansh people at Oberhalbstein and the 
Italian-speaking people at Bergell.

	As in other parts, the Walsers at Avers were free to 
elect their magistrate and civil court at an early time; in 
1396 the commune already had its own seal, and in 1620 it also 
possessed supreme penal judicature.  In 1525 it became 
Protestant.

	Contrary to Schams and Rheinwald, which had joined the 
Grey League, Avers joined the League of God's House, and with 
the villages of Bivio/Stalla and Remüs it formed a High Court 
which, however, served only as a basis for calculating the 
revenues of the whole state and the ministries in the 
Valtellina.  In the military organisation the commune was part 
of Bergell; it had its own banner, however, which the people of 
Avers carried at the Battle of Calven in 1499.

	Until the construction of the road from Schams in 1895 
the economy of Avers was orientated to the south and east; this 
was because the gorge between Innerferrera and Campsut formed a 
great obstacle for many years.  The importance of the passes at 
that time can be seen from the fact that the road regulations 
in the old law of the country began by mentioning Stallerberg 
and Forcellina.

	After the reorganisation of the canton in 1851 Avers 
became a separate district, which, however, on account of the 
small number of inhabitants, was joined to Schams for elections 
to the Great Council, until, in 1904, it was given separate 
representation in Parliament.

	The development of its water-power has also brought 
Avers modern motorways, and a considerable income from the 
water rates.  These are factors which will play no small part 
in future developments.

Famous personality of Avers:

	Christian Klucker (1853-1928) from Avers. As a climber 
and guide he systematically explored the mountains of his home 
canton.  A series of first ascents, mostly in Bergell, and the 
finding of many clever new foutes on famous mountains, from the 
Dauphiné to the Dolomites, have secured a place for him in the 
gallery of famous "Alpine Pioneers".

	District Coat of Arms:  Aslant right silver and sable; 
silver, rampant ibex sable with horns gules.  Blazonry: it is 
taken from a seal of the commune of Avers from the middle of 
the 17th century with an ibex standing and the inscription: 
*S*LANDSCHAFT*VON*AFERS*.  To distinguish it from the coat of 
arms of the League of God's House the shield was divided aslant 
right, and in this way the original seal of Avers was 
heraldically enriched.  The colours oare those of the League of 
God's House.  District colours: black-white