Ardez

The only Swiss village under the EC protection of historical monuments

Ardez, on 1500 meters (4920 ft), is the only Swiss village under EC protection of historical monuments. It is a lively village with 500 inhabitants, almost unchanged for centuries. It sustains itself through mountainous farming, cattle trade, and timber trade, all of them occupations the guests can experience all the year round.

The landscape of the Lower Engadine, with Ardez in its center, has a microclimate (the Engadine sun window) which guarantees much sun and beautiful weather, but also snow in higher regions until the middle of April. The Lower Engadine and the adjoining National Park are one of the last original Swiss landscapes, unique and unmistakable by their fauna and flora with a touch of the mediterranean. Nature lovers of all kinds will get their money's worth. Famous in autumn are the red-colored larch woods. Gourmets, too, will learn to like the local special dishes.