The villa was completed in 1927 and became the holiday home of a family of four, who also regularly hosted friends from the aristocracy. The Florentine-style interior with its magnificent furniture was the work of Mrs von Riedemann: Baron Heinrich von Riedemann had married Francesca Ricci, a native Italian from Florence. It soon became apparent that the couple's daughter, Béatrice von Riedemann, felt particularly at home at Chesa Spuondas. She was also educated here and celebrated lavish parties during her youth. When she married her tutor, the impoverished Count von Ledebur-Wicheln, in the Regina Pacis chapel at the age of 20, her father gave his daughter the house as a wedding gift, probably as a sign of his affection.
From then on, the von Ledebur family lived permanently in the Engadin with their three growing children and up to 15 employees. According to accounts, the layout was such that the parents each had a separate spacious room on the first floor and the children slept with their nannies on the second floor. They were taught by a private tutor in a specially furnished corner by the window. The house remained the von Ledebur family home from 1930 to 1963. However, even during these years, it was becoming apparent that Béatrice von Ledebur was in poor health.
In memory of her equally charitable father, the lady of the house donated her beloved home to the Pro Juventute foundation. Her wish was to fill Chesa Spuondas with life, families and lots of children.
Nothing has changed since then. The house on the hillside is still a gift. And there are still many gifts to be found there: a smile here, a kind word there, a friendly gesture, a moment of silence, a little time and sometimes even a room...
In addition to the approximately 95 per cent of individual guests who visit the house, the Pro Juventute holiday fund enables several families and single mothers on a low income to enjoy a free week's holiday during the school holidays every year.
