About Us
Rooted in history, growing in community.
How Bognago
Was Shaped
From an abandoned mountain village to a thriving community — a journey of restoration, dedication, and love.
1978: Spiritual Community
Once upon a time a shepherds pasture, after being abandoned for years, Alpe Bognago started a new chapter in 1978, when a 27 year old visionary, Stephan Kocher, stumbled upon Bognago for the first time. From the first glimpse he caught of it through the trees and across the ravine, he knew this was the place for him. Propelled forward by a dream, that very same afternoon he had bought the first piece of land. Soon, in line with the spirit of the times, a spiritual community, populated by young people, was born, and Bognago started to be rebuilt from its ruins.
1983: Therapeutic Community
Over time this community transformed into a therapeutic rehab community, run by the Kocher brothers; Christian and Stephan. At first, for recovering heroin users, then, into the 90s, for heavily troubled youth. There was a large and stable group of people (20-25) living in Bognago all year round. The property saw a lot of expansion and infrastructural change, like the introduction of a transport cable car, solar panels, and more buildings.
2012: The end of an Era
In 2012 the therapeutic community project came to a close, and Bognago was once again, abandoned. After several years of silence, in 2018 Bognago was inhabited again by a single caretaker, and some rooms were put up for rent for hikers passing through; this saw the slow beginning of our B&B as we know it today.
2023: Bognago Today
In 2023, 10 years after the closing of the last project housed in Bognago, Viana Kocher, eldest of four daughters of Stephan Kocher, decided the moment had come to move to this magical place and try and bring it back to life, to use it for something meaningful, before it completely disintegrates. Bognago has been home too many, and we think it will continue to do so, even long after we are gone.
Our Community Today
Life in Bognago is a rhythm of shared work, communal meals, quiet afternoons, and evenings full of all kinds of shenanigans and laughter. Volunteers, guests and residents come together to live simply, care for the land and support one another. Our community today is made up of wonderful people from all over the world; a network that is slowly growing day by day. We value the respect for nature, the joy of collaboration, and the importance of passing down knowledge across generations.
We are a small group of people permanently residing in Bognago, accompanied for the majority of the year by a large group of volunteers. In high season, during summer, we can be up to 20 people! Everyone who comes to Bognago, whether for short or long term stays, is dedicated to taking care of and growing this place, and shares values of inclusivity, community, responsibility, and outdoor connection. Whether you're here to stay, to learn, or simply to rest, you'll find a welcoming space where everyone contributes something meaningful. We always like to say, "Bognago has answers, but maybe not the ones you were looking for."
Life in Bognago
Bognago is only accessible via a simple footpath, specifically, a 45 min. hike. This makes every day life here quite different; and it's always an adventure! Bognago strives to be as self sufficient/sustainable as possible. Living in a place like Bognago forces you to see reality as it is; nothing, no single resource we have, is ever infinite. But living in the city, it's easy to forget about the true nature of our world and consume as you please, without mindfulness or gratitude.
In Bognago we want to bring sustainability to the forefront of all that we do and live in line with nature. All our electricity is solar powered, and all water is sourced from a mountain spring. We try to reuse and upcycle as much of our own waste as possible. We aim to grow as much of our own food as possible. Our kitchen is plant based, although we have chickens for our own eggs, and maybe in the future, our family will grow; bees, goats, sheep, or even…alpacas! Who knows what Bognago will bring.