Disentis Monastery was founded in 720 by Sigisbert, helped by local landowner Placidus. Situated at an important traffic junction with access to the Passo del Lucomagno and Oberalp Pass, the Monastery extended its domain over the entire Surselva as far as today’s Canton Uri. The Monastery even survived such setbacks as invasions by the Saracens (940) and the French (end 18th, beginning 19th century). It is still a spiritual and cultural centre.