Ceiling artwork in hotel rooms

The floral ornaments evoke the grandeur of the Engadine hotel industry during the Belle Époque, bridging the past with the present – and connecting with guests on a deeper level. The colorful accents beneath the floral motifs add an extra layer of warmth and character to the rooms, enhancing the overall atmosphere.

The Engadine Tradition of the Trailing Carnation

The carnation, also known as clove pink, dianthus caryophyllus, or neglas engiadinaisas, is the only carnation species suitable for decorating balconies and windowsills. Its vibrant colors – ranging from red and pink to yellow – only flourish under intense UV light, making it especially well-suited to the sunny valleys of the Engadine. Not long ago, these striking trailing plants adorned nearly every house in the region. Today, however, they have all but vanished. To prevent this colorful tradition from fading into obscurity, the Swiss organization ProSpecieRara works to preserve the heritage varieties of these beautiful hanging carnations.

Symbolic and Cultural Significance

Carnations have long been symbols of love, beauty, joie de vivre, marriage, and friendship. This is why they are commonly used as corsages and are a popular motif in folk art. The dianthus caryophyllus, in particular, features prominently in the floral embroidery of traditional Engadine costumes, where it symbolizes the tree of life