Town centre and Steinberg castle Ardez

In the 1975 European Architectural Heritage Year, the Swiss towns of Ardez, Murten, Martigny and Corippo (TI) were chosen to participate in a “réalisation exemplaire”. In the following 10 years and with considerable financial support from the Swiss Government and the canton, many buildings in Ardez were restored according to the principles governing the preservation of historical monuments. The alleys and squares are lined by large excellently-preserved Engadine houses. Wide, semi-circular entrances stand next to narrow funnel-shaped windows, graffiti next to wall paintings and carved oriols next to hand-forged window grilles. On a rock ledge above the village rises Steinsberg, founded in the 12th century. The keep once again enjoys the protection of a roof, the Romanesque chapel of St Lucius, in contrast, is only a ruin. Ardez demonstrates most clearly the relations between castle, settlement and cultural landscape. The castle protected the village and the villagers contributed a part of what they had produced on the fields and meadows.

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