Guarda Historic Village

Guarda – a village for all the senses
This is what you find in Guarda. The Lower Engadine village, which became famous because of the story of Schellen-Ursli, is one of the most beautiful places in Graubünden. We went on a winter discovery tour and experienced Guarda with all five senses.
The buildings mostly date from the 16th and 17th centuries. This is unique in the valley because, unlike other Lower Engadine villages, Guarda was spared from major village fires. The church is even more original with its decorative tower. It has survived both wars and the Habsburg raids and destruction. What is striking: The houses in the village center all face the street. This is surprising, given the sunny hillside location, but it has to do with the fact that Guarda was a street village 500 years ago and the main traffic axis ran through the small town. Today Guarda is traffic-free. If you arrive by car, leave your vehicle at the parking lot at the entrance to the town. It's even better to travel in a relaxed manner using public transport.
Text / Source: Graubünden Ferien, Alexanderstrasse 24, 7001 Chur
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Guarda is located a little above the Inn on a slope. The whole place consists exclusively of typical Engadine houses, some of whose walls are decorated with interesting and beautiful sgraffiti - geometric wall decorations. Guarda is therefore one of the best-preserved villages in the Engadine.

This is also where the story of Schellenursli, famous in the Engadine, takes place, a boy who only got a small bell for a parade and was therefore teased by the others. The next day he showed up with a huge cowbell and was even allowed to lead the parade.

As one of the best preserved Engadine villages Guarda received the Wakker Prize in 1975 and was classified in 1985 as a townscape of national importance.