Guardaval Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Madulain, Switzerland.
Guardaval is a stone castle ruin on a rocky hilltop with a guard tower and sections of fortified walls that look out over the Engadin valley. The site sits at about 4600 feet (1400 meters) elevation and offers wide views over the surrounding mountain landscape from above.
The castle was built around 1250 under Bishop Volkard von Neuenburg as a fortified administrative center. It controlled trade routes over the Albula Pass and secured the church territories in this region.
The castle shows medieval building techniques visible in its arrow slits and reinforced entrance door. This construction style was common for fortified buildings in the Grisons region and helped residents protect their property.
The site is accessible year-round and lies about 15 minutes walk from Madulain station. The path to the ruins is clearly marked, but comfortable hiking shoes are recommended because of the steep and rocky trail.
Between 1850 and 1930 the castle functioned as a restaurant and inn before being restored as a historical monument. This unusual chapter of reuse shows how the ruins served different purposes in different eras.
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