In 1913, the Municipality of St. Moritz took over a private electric lighting company and created the Elektrizitätswerk (Electricity Works) (EW) St. Moritz, which today produces electricity for St. Moritz and Celerina under the name St. Moritz Energy. However, the history of electric light began 35 years before that: in 1878, the Samedan hotel pioneer Johannes Badrutt installed Switzerland’s first electricity system above his Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz and caused quite a sensation with the hotel’s festively lit Belle Epoque halls.

The first electric light in Switzerland shone not in Zürich, nor in Bern or in Geneva – but here in St. Moritz.

This shows the openness to the world and the pioneering spirit that prevailed in the Upper Engadine spa town in the latter half of the 19th century.

Milestones from 1878 until today