My Travel Italy

Hidden in the Gardena valley between large Rasciesa forest and Alpe di Siusi the small alpine village Ortisei is one of most important all season tourist resorts in Italy.Together with Selva Valgardena and Santa Christina are main Ladin municipalities, where people speak ancient language, wear local uniforms and observe old customs..

The first meeting with Ladin culture visitors can experience by reading local names on the road signs,some are lucky to watch events and feast and to get more historical background one can see Cesa dei ladins in Museo della val Gardena ( strada Rezia 83). It was the land of farmers, carpenters, but first of all of artists, whose unque wooden sculptures were famous in Europe already at the end of 17th century. They created decorative interior details in churches, cathedrals as well as inside of castles and noble residences. You can find inlay furniture by artists from Val Gardena in Venice, Moscow or Paris. 20th century brought the development of machine tools able to duplicate patterns, but in the area the atrist create only individual, unique sculptures, hence the name of their union ‘Unika’. At the end of 19th century the first tourist start to visit Val Gardena. In 1885 it was created German-Austrian Alpine club and in 1911 Guide Association.
In 1905 it was opened first slope for sledges and in 1930 a cable car. Ortisei became one of the first alpine resorts after Courmayeur, San Martino di Castrozza, Cortina or Madonna di Campiglio.
The symbol of the area is an unusual Dolomite group Sassolungo ( 3179 m) and behind Selva the pass Gardena gives the acces to the slopes around Sella (3152 m), one of the most famous ski destinations in Italy, part of large ski carousel Dolomiti Superski. Above the village towers the red cupola of belfry in typical South Tyrolese style. It is about two hundred years old church dedicated to St.Ulrich, patron of Ortisei.
The oldest church in the valley hides slightly outside the village. On the ancient road Troi Paian lies the church of San Giacomo from 12th century. The church features large ( 4,73 m x 3,65 m) wooden altar from early 17th century with large panels depicting the life of Christ.

People came here for hiking, walking in the mountains, skiing, sledging but also just to take a rest and rejuvenate in one of many wellness centers with modern facilities developed around 19th century hotels and residences. The Michelin stars given to restaurants in the valley also contribute to a perfect holiday in Val Gardena.