The short path from the parking lot on the road to the church is cleared. The snow weighs heavily on the trees. Some of them are threateningly crooked on the steep slope, others have not withstood the strain of the first winter onset and have fallen. "That will give us a lot of work next summer," says real estate consultant Franco Giovanoli, welcoming Rado Mrkonjic. Rado is the good soul here. Repairs, cleans, clears the snow, maintains the turnaround. And for the past three months he has been making sure that the former Nairs church near Scuol is presented in the best possible light when Franco Giovanoli arrives with potential buyers for a viewing. Since September, the former Anglican house of worship has been advertised for sale on the platform of Ginesta Immobilien. The current owner wants to part with the property, which he has used since 1985 mainly as a vacation domicile and seminar venue and has renovated continuously. 6.5 rooms, 275 m² gross living space, 90 m² terrace, a greenhouse, 18 380 m² of surrounding land, almost all of which is forest, four covered parking spaces. Cost: 2.6 million francs.

Convince potential buyers

These are the bare figures. But anyone who wants to buy a former church and live in it is interested in more than just the numbers. This is where the work of real estate consultant Franco Giovanoli begins. Prospective buyers, most of whom have traveled a long way to the Lower Engadine, have already gained an initial impression on the Internet and in the sales documents, and have already explored the church and the tower on a virtual tour. But now it is up to Giovanoli to convince potential buyers to highlight the advantages of the property. The showpiece is the eight-meter-high church wing with the choir raised by several steps. From here, a large arched window leads out onto the terrace. Giovanoli praises the generous, open floor plan, the ample space for dining and living, the original building fabric. And he likes the gallery, which opens up a beautiful view into the church interior and is used as a master bedroom and office in the back. Below the gallery are the kitchen and a bathroom. "This is the oldest Closomat from the Swiss company of the same name that is still in use," he knows to tell. The two lavabos come from the Hotel Scuol Palace, which stands 500 meters as the crow flies from the church and is once again sleeping beauty.

For English spa guests

The former spa house Tarasp, later supplemented with the drinking hall Büvetta, was the reason for the construction of the English church Nairs. The Archbishop of Canterbury gave the order in 1882, and on September 3, 1883 the church was inaugurated and from then on served the many English spa guests who traveled to the Lower Engadine to get fresh air and drink healthy water. However, at the latest with the great economic crisis after the Second World War, the splendor of the spa facility went out, the guests stayed away and the church was converted into a residential building.

The bells ring

The property also includes the tower, which is directly adjacent to the church hall and has three floors that lead to small rooms via a narrow, steep staircase. "Ideal for accommodating guests or renting out as an Airbnb apartment," Giovanoli says. The tower has a bathroom with toilet on the first floor and a small bell tower with a working, hand-operated bell. Giovanoli has been able to show the church to a handful of interested parties so far. "That proves that there is interest in special objects." But he also knows that a former church cannot be sold like a new loft apartment in Zurich. "It can happen very quickly if someone falls in love with the property at first sight. But it could also be that the church is on the market for longer until it finds an interested party. "He also knows the disadvantages of the church's location. Above all, there is the location, only 50 meters above the busy cantonal road. But also the lack of public transport connections or the few hours of sunshine in winter could deter potential buyers.

There is enough wood

It has become cold. The sun no longer makes it over the hill on this short December day. On the way back to the parking lot, the view falls on the logs neatly stacked on the south wall of the church and from there into the dense forest. Heating for the cold winter nights should not be a problem. And Rado, the good soul of the Nairs church, will provide supplies in the coming summer.

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