To spot the Tschofenhaus, look straight ahead for a pale, gabled corner building with big, faintly painted figures in old-fashioned attire looking down from the upper facade, just across the street from the Rathaus.
Alright, traveler, you’ve stopped in front of a building that has seen more costume changes than a chameleon at a masquerade ball! The Tschofenhaus stands proudly at the heart of Bludenz’s old town, its cream-colored facade telling tales of centuries past. Just imagine: behind those walls, history has been simmering since at least the 16th century-perhaps even the 15th, depending on which historian you ask! Across all these years, it’s weathered not one but two major town fires, back in 1638 and 1682. After each disaster, the place rose from the ashes, a bit taller, a bit wiser, and maybe a touch more cautious about candle safety.
If you crane your neck up at the facade, you’ll see striking painted figures dressed in local traditional clothes-the “trachten”-painted in 1937. Back then, these big citizens were the original “influencers” of Bludenz, keeping an eye on the streets and showing off the spirit of the town. This building was a bustling family business for decades, where the Tschofen family sold household goods and, rumor has it, more porcelain than you could shake a stick at-hence the nickname “Tscherpa-Tschofa,” which means “shards” in the local dialect. Accidents must’ve happened! The tales say, if you listened closely, on a quiet day you could hear the clinking of plates and maybe someone muttering about broken dishes.
Step inside today, and you’ll find a stylish hotel and restaurant-a transformation completed in 2018 after a massive renovation! But pieces of the old world remain, like protected stucco ceilings and timber beams stretching across the rooms. Imagine the stories trapped in those walls; from fiery chaos to porcelain sales, to luxury stays and fine dining. The next time you sip coffee in their restaurant, raise a glass to Tschofenhaus, the survivor of fires, fads, and feasts!
