Think Switzerland and it is almost synonymous with fairytale villages and breathtaking landscapes. And one such utterly beautiful Swiss village that acutally inspired the famous Swiss children’s book Schellen-Ursli is Guarda. Perched at an elevation of 1,653 meters above sea level, Guarda is situated in the eastern part of the country and in the Lower Engadine region. Accessible by a panoramic train journey from Zurich that offers picture-perfect vistas, Guarda enchants you in more ways than one. Read on to find out more.
The first thing that you observe once you enter this picturesque village are the rustic Engadine houses that sport unique Sgraffiti patterns on their facades. These patterns are as interesting as intriguing and they truly reflect the charm associated with yesteryear life that was slow yet simple and sweet.
With winding cobbled streets, multiple fountains and narrow alleys hosting medieval churches and antiquated buildings, taking a stroll in Guarda is like taking a step back in time. A winner of the acclaimed Wakker prize just like the Stein am Rhein, this village exudes heritage vibes at every nook and corner.
Apart from panoramic views and awe inspiring vistas, Guarda is known as the village of Schellenursli. Just like Heidiland, it is here that you can walk in Schellen-Ursli’ shoes. It was here that Alois Carigiet was inspired to create Schellen-Ursli, originally titled Uorsin in Romansh. For the uninitiated, it is a famous children’s story by author Selina Chönz and artist Alois Carigiet and like Heidi, it is one of Switzerland’s best-known picture books, with over a million copies sold. The book was first published in 1945.
In Guarda there is a path dedicated to Schellenursli – the main character of the book. Apart from this you can also visit Schellen-Ursli museum which is a small yet insightful museum that has a number of objects and artefacts related to the famous Swiss book.
Click here and here to read about other fairy tale Swiss villages.
