"Chesa" in Romansh (one of Switzerland's 4 national languages alongside French, Italian, and German) generally means "house." Its etymology stems from the Latin root casa (“hut”) from casula (“little house”). However, when speaking about Swiss architecture, “Chesa” refers specifically to traditional Engadin style homes. Chesas are a type of historic dwelling built by Romansh families primarily from the 16th-18th centuries. Today these old homes have been extensively remodelled into guesthouses, hotels, shops or restaurants throughout Graubünden, especially in the Upper Engadin Valley: Zuoz, Madulain, Celerina, Pontresina, Samedan & St. Moritz.
