The Districts of Misox, Roveredo and Calanca

	The fact that these three Italian-speaking districts of 
the southern Grisons are referred to collectively under the 
name " il Moesano", and also the fact that they have shared a 
common history for centuries, justify their being combined for 
the purpose of a short historical survey.

	The District of Misox coincides with the upper part of 
the valley of the river Moesa, between the highest point of the 
San Bernardino pass and the district boundary at Sorte, and is 
identical to the territory of the political communes of 
Lostallo, Mesocco, and Soazza.  The name Misox, Mesolcina in 
Italian, as well as the name of the river Moesa, is derived 
from the Celtic word mag, meaning big.

	The District of Roveredo comprises the lower part of 
the Mesolcina valley, from the boundary at Sorte mentioned 
above, as far as the cantonal boundary below San Cittore, and 
includes the communes of Cama, Grono, Leggia, Roveredo, San 
Vittore, and Verdabbio.  The name Roveredo is derived from the 
Latin word roburbrown oak, or roburetum- an oak-wood.

	The District of Calanca includes the whole of the 
Calancasca valley (with the exception of the topmost part of 
the Alpe di Stabbio) with the political communes of Arvigo, 
Augio, Braggio, Buseno, Castaneda, Cauco, Landarenca, Rossa, 
Sta. Domenica, Sta. Maria i.C., and Selma.  The name Calanca 
comes from the word Cala-steep slope-and refers to the 
formation of the valley.

 	As the San Bernardino is one of the passes which is 
most easily accessible from the south, the favourable position 
of the Moesa valley led to settlement in pre-historic times.  
Several finds near San Vittore are proof of settlement during 
the Bronze Age.  Burial grounds near Cama can be attributed to 
the early lron Age (La Tène period).  During the 1930's 
settlements and a burial ground were discovered at Castaneda, 
providing rich finds of bronze and pottery vessels and many 
kinds of jewellery, and throwing light on Iron Age culture.  
One of the best pieces is an elegantly-formed, imported bronze 
vessel with a spout.  It bears an inscription in the alphabet 
used south of the Alps.

	In the year 15 B.C. the territory fell to the Romans 
and became part of the province of Rhaetia.  It may be assumed 
that the Romans had already made a way across the San 
Bernardino.  After its Christianisation the territory became 
part of the Ciocese of Chur.  Thus the bonds with the north, 
which began when it became part of Rhaetia Prima, were 
strengthened.  The first documentary evidence in the 
Carolingian Register dating from the early 9th century, in 
which a certain Fero of Schams is mentioned as the receiver of 
the taxes from the Mesolcina, again points to the connection 
with the north.

	When the country was divided by the Franks the 
territory was part of the Duchy of Oberraetia, which was again 
sub-divided into hundreds.  The "Centena", the political 
organisation of the whole Moesano, went back to the Frankish 
hundreds, and survived until the 19th century.  Based on the 
sovereign rights of this ancient Frankish Duchy, the Barons of 
Sax most probably started to build up their sovereignty over 
the Misox in the 12th century.  They opened up the valley to 
cultural and economic influences from the south, and at the 
same time the existing political bonds with the north- going 
back to the time of the Romans and the coming of Christianity- 
were not only kept up, but were strengthened.

	The acquisition of the Blenio valley and the bailiwick 
of the monastery at Disentis was connected with the Italian 
policy of Frederich II, but the possession of them was of short 
duration, and this was also true in the case of Bellinzona.  
When the line of Belmont died out in 1370 the Lords of Sax were 
able to gain sovereignty over the Gruob, Lugnez, Vals, Flims, 
and Kästris.  With their new territories they joined the Upper 
League at Ilanz in 1395; the Lord of Milan was not included in 
the League, as the Lords of Sax wished to keep up good 
relations with him because of the Moesano.

	After the death of Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti at the 
beginning of the 15 century a time of crisis began for the 
Duchy of Milan.  Albert of Sax-Misox again succeeded in gaining 
sovereignty over Bellinzona, and was even able to gain a hold 
in Dongo on the upper part of the Lake of Como, which enabled 
him to control the Jorio pass.  Around the year 1400 the 
Emperor Sigismund raised the Barons of Sax-Misox to the 
Dukedom.  This was the climax of a period of political fame and 
territorial expansion, but it was soon followed by a decline.  
In 1419 the Dukes were forced to sell the town and Duchy of 
Bellinzona to Uri and Obwalden.

	As a member of the Grey League Duke Johann Peter took 
part in the Bellinzona campaigns of the Confederates in 1478.  
The siege of the town failed, the lower Mesolcina and the 
Calanca valley went over to Milan, and only Mesocco and Soazza 
remained loyal to the Duke.  This was a bitter blow, but later, 
as a result of the Confederate victory at Giornico, the Duke 
was able to regain the whole territory.  In 1480, having 
learned by their experiences, the people of Masox and Soatza 
joined the Grey League, with the consent of their Lord in order 
that the subjects of the Dukes of Sax-Misox might protect their 
castle, land and people, and also safeguard the interests of 
the League on the road throught the territory. 

	The Lords of Milan did not give up their interest in 
Misox; Duke Johann Peter was hated by his people and his 
neighbours because of his tyranny and the debts that he 
incurred, and he was forced to sell the Duchy, its castles and 
estates a few months after Mesocco and Soazza had entered the 
Grey League.  Soon afterwards, however, he decided to try to 
regain supremacy over the territory he had sold, and actually 
asked Milan for aid.  This caused Trivulzio, in 1496, to ask 
for entry into the Grey League, together with the whole of 
Moesano, which gave him the support he needed.  In case of war 
the partners of the Grey League demanded that the castle and 
stronghold of Masax and the fortress (at Roveredo)... be 
supplied with good guns and cannons... and the upper League 
Churwalden be at their disposal in times of war and stress.

	Not onlyh did Trivulzio have difficulties in foreign 
policy, he also had to deal with his people, who were 
constantly quarrelling with each other.  The people of the 
valley took the side of the Three Leagues when they destroyed 
the castle at Misox, in 1526, to prevent it from being used by 
Milan at a later date.  After long negotiations a contract was 
drawn up and signed at Mendrisio on 2nd October 1549; this gave 
the people of Misox full freedom- against the sum of 24,000 
gold florins.  It is interesting to note that some communes on 
the other side of the Alps helped the people of Misox to raise 
this sum by giving them loans.

	During the Reformation, Cesare Beccaria, Cesare 
Casteglione and Giovanni Viscardi tried to introduce the 
Protestant belief to the Misox, but they were not successful.  
Duiring the counter-Reformation Carlo Borromeo came to the 
valley, at the request of the Grey League and several people of 
Misox.  His activity gave fresh incentive to the religious life 
of the area and many new churches were built.  During the time 
of the wars in the Grisons, which did not affect the Misox 
directly, the population was split in a religious-political 
quarrel which revolved round the question wheter the Capuchins 
should continue to look after the spiritual needs of the 
people.  The two factions, which fought each other bitterly, 
were the "pretisti" (supporters of the priesthood) and the 
"fratisti" (supporters of the Capuchins).

	There was strong opposition during the Revolution when 
Napoleon joined the Misox to the Ticino, and in 1810 when the 
French occupied the two valleys, the people protested against 
the separation from the Grisons.  It was only after Napoleon's 
fall that the contry was finally incorporated in the Ticino.
	
	Originally the Moesano was divided into two 
jurisdictions, the so-called vicariates.  The boundary passed 
through Sorte and thus separated the two existing parishes of 
San Vittore (lower Misox and Calanca) and of Santa Maria del 
Castello (upper Misox).  A magistrate, appointed by the Duke, 
presided over each court.  Eventually the right to appoint a 
magistrate was bought, and a freely-elected magistrate took 
this office.  The people of Calanca in the lower vicariate 
showed separatist tendencies at an early date.  In 1536 they 
were given the right to appoint their own judge in civil 
matters.  But it was only during the Revolution, after a long 
struggle, that they became completely separate; this was 
officially recognised in 1851 when the new districts were set up 
and the three districts of Misox, Roveredo, and Calanca were 
created.  When, in 1871, the Canton wanted to put the two 
districts of Roveredo and Calanca together in order to reduce 
the number of districts, the people of Calanca protested, and 
were successful.

	For many centuries the transit-trade across the San 
Bernardino played an important part in the history of Moesano.  
A new road was contructed in 1821, and there was a promising 
increase in trade, but this was cut off abruptly when the 
railway through the Gottard was opened.  A new era began in 
1967 with the opening of the motor tunnel through the San 
Bernardino.

	As well as trade over the pass emigration must be 
mentioned, and this, according to A.M. Zendralli, can be 
divided into military and civil emigration.  There had always 
been a steady emigration of tradesmen.  Masons, builders, and 
stucco-workers from the guilds of masons at Roveredo and San 
Vittore, including many firs-class architects, when north to 
Germany- especially to Franconia, Swabia and Bavaria.  Chimney 
sweeps from upper Misox emigrated to Austria, and many 
inhabitants from Calanca found work as glaziers and painters in 
the Rhineland, France, and Belgium, and until recently many 
workers in Switzerland as casual workers.

Famos people from Moesano:

	Gabriele de Gabrieli (1671-1747) from Roveredo.  He 
first worked as master-builder in Vienna and Ansbach.  In 1715 
he became architect at the court of the Prince-Bishop at 
Eichstätt.  He made this town a centre of Baroque art.  His 
most important works there are Notre-Dame Church, Cobenzl 
Castle, the summer residence, the southern facade of the 
residence, the cavalier courts, etc.

	Enrico Zuccalli (1642-1724) from Roveredo.  He was the 
master builder at the court at Munich, where he introducte 
late-Italian Baroque.  Among his best-known words are the 
Castle at Schleissheim and some other castles in Bavaria, the 
monastery at Ettal, and the Franciscan monastery at 
Schleissheim.  The Theatiner Church at Munich, with its rich 
stucco-work and wonderful facade, is also Zuccalli's work.

	Giovanni Antonio Viscardi (1645-1713) from San 
Vittore.  He was master-builder and landscape architect at 
Munich.  The Conventual Church at Fürstenfeld near Munich, and 
Trinity Church at Munich were of lasting influence in the 
transitional period between Baroque and Rococo (Zendralli).

	Arnoldo Marcelliano Zendralli (1888-1961) from 
Roveredo.  For four decades he was head of the Italian-speaking 
department of the Teachers' Training College, part of the 
Cantonal School of the Grisons.  In 1918 he founded the 
association "Pro Grigioni Italiano" and worked with unfailing 
energy for the improvement of the cultural and economic 
situation in the Italian-speaking part of the Grisons.  Among 
his many scientific works the most eminent is his book on "The 
Rhaetian Master-Builders and Stucco-workers in German-speaking 
countries during the Baroque and Rococo Periods".  In 1957 he 
was given the title Doctor honoris causa for his constant 
evdeavour to promote the culture of the Italian-speaking 
Grisons.


District Coat of Arms:

	Misox: Gold, skyblue wavy bend (Moesa) with Gothic 
"m"gules.
	Blazonry:  The gold and red colours can be found in the 
coat of arms of the Lords of Sax.
	District colours: blue-yellow-red.

	Roveredo: Gold, oak with green leaves.
	Blazonry: The oak can be found on old seals of the 
commune and jurisdiction and refers to the name Roveredo, which 
is derived from the "rovere", meaning oak.  The green and gold 
colours go back to the time of the Trivulzio family.
	District colours: yellow-green.

	Calanca: Green, lion in gold with claws gules carrying 
sword in silver with golden hilt in right front claw.
	Blazonry: Existing coat of arms.
	Distric colours: green-yellow.