Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland Jan 2, 2025

Perched on a terrace above the Inn Valley at over 1,400 metres, Ardez is a hidden gem in eastern Switzerland renowned for its deep cultural roots and stunning preservation of history. This picturesque village, starring in today"s image, showcases the rich traditions and unique language of Switzerland"s Romansh-speaking communities. Its homes are adorned with sgraffiti—decorative designs etched into plaster—and colourful murals, both iconic art styles of the Engadin region. Dating back to 840, when it was first referred to as Ardezis, the village"s history includes Steinsberg Castle, originally owned by the Bishop of Chur. Though destroyed during the Swabian War in 1499, the castle"s tower has been restored multiple times and stands today as a proud reminder of its past. In 1975, Ardez was chosen as a Swiss model village for its exceptional preservation efforts, which have kept its historic charm intact.

© Roberto Moiola/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jan 2, 2024Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort, India
Jan 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 2, 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Oct 6, 2025Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Dec 21, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
Apr 19, 2025Zion National Park, Utah, United States
Jun 6, 2024Greater flamingos at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, Camargue, France
May 20, 2024Bee tending a honeycomb
Jul 13, 2025Basalt columns in Kálfshamarsvík cove, Skagi peninsula, Iceland
Dec 5, 2023Castles in the Bavarian Alps
Aug 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia
Jul 19, 2025Luna moth
Aug 2, 2025Petroglyphs near Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Dec 17, 2025Eurasian red squirrel
May 15, 2025Palace of Westminster, London, England
Mar 13, 2025Gran Paradiso National Park, Piedmont, Italy
May 24, 2024Añisclo gorge, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain
Sep 1, 2023Turkey tail mushroom
Aug 29, 2025Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Mar 21, 2024Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Mar 5, 2024Bangkok, Thailand
Sep 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
Sep 8, 2025Library@orchard, Singapore
Nov 22, 2023Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Feb 8, 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Nov 9, 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Sep 15, 2025Black-winged stilts, France
Nov 3, 2023Pacific sea nettle jellyfish
Nov 23, 2024Spiral aloe, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Jun 25, 2025St. Michaels Church Tower on Glastonbury Tor, Glastonbury, Somerset, England
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
May 1, 2025Plumeria flowers, Hawaii, United States