As early as 1595, Johannes Salis, the grandchild of Rudolf de Salis, is said to have built the beginnings of what Chesa Planta would become. Though its details are lost in history, the former farmhouse progressed and expanded into a classic work of late baroque architecture over the course of two hundred years. In 1817 the Chesa changed owners to another aristocratic family, the Planta. Thus its appearance was altered yet again throughout the 19th Century by architect Nikolas Hartmann Sen. from St. Moritz who designed the main facade in traditional Engadin Sgraffito style, applying layers of tinted plaster on its surface. After an accidental bombing in 1943 the house and its interiors were finally restored again through the hands of Max Alioth. Today, Chesa Planta stands as an exceptional example of baroque architecture in Engadin tradition. It houses the Fundazion de Planta Samedan and the Museum of Culture and Home Decor, offering a rich example for lordly living and serving as a visual reference for the aristocratic way of life in Europe at the time. In addition, the Kulturarchiv Oberengadin is situated here, giving value and access to an extensive archive of private estates, photography, books and other historic documents. The former mansion incorporates the Romanic library of the foundation which established itself as a stronghold of Romansh language and culture, still spoken by 60.000 people throughout Switzerland and Italy.