Founded in the 13th century by a German population (Walser) descending from the north into the Italian valleys around Monte Rosa, it has preserved today its atmosphere with several buildings built around 1500-1600 in a pure Walser Style, still in perfect condition, built using local wood and stones (called 'Piode'). This spontaneous architecture has been totally preserved: the wooden cage around the building was in fact invented for putting the hay to dry out.