Zuoz is a political municipality in the Maloja region of the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is the center of the historic La Plaiv landscape. The original Bronze Age settlement was located on the hill of Chastlatsch. However, at the time of its first written mentioning at the beginning of the 9th century, Zuoz already occupied its current position. In 1499, the inhabitants razed the village to the ground, fleeing with all their worldly possessions into the mountains, in an attempt to force the Austrian Imperial Army to retreat. As Zuoz has since been spared from fire, it is home to an exceptional number of historical buildings and the villagescape has even been declared of national importance. Zuoz’s impressive appearance, with its grand houses, some almost palatial in design, is testimony to the leading political and cultural role it played until the 19th century. The imposing square in the village centre dates from the 16th century; until 100 years ago, the Landsgemeinde assembly for the Upper Engadin was held here. The municipality has a population of around 1‘200 inhabitants of whom 39 % speak German and 39 % the local language Rumantsh.