Guarda, Protected mountain village in Graubünden, Switzerland
Guarda is a mountain village in Graubünden sitting on a sunny terrace at 1653 meters above sea level with views down the Engadin valley. The houses display traditional Engadine architecture with painted facades and wooden details that define the appearance of the settlement.
First mentioned in 1160 as Warda, the settlement developed as a passage point along alpine trade routes through the region. Between 1939 and 1945, architect Iachen Ulrich Könz directed a comprehensive renovation that fundamentally renewed the village's appearance.
The village inspired the children's story Schellen-Ursli, created in 1945 by Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet to depict local winter customs. This tale continues to shape how people around the world imagine the place and draws visitors wanting to walk through its pages.
The village is accessible by road and has limited parking near the entrance. Guided walks are offered regularly and allow visitors to better understand the architecture and story through local knowledge.
The village received the Wakker Prize in 1975 for its efforts to preserve its architectural heritage and be recognized as a protected Swiss townscape. This award honored decades of work to maintain its defining features.
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