Val Gardena Dolomites

Val Gardena is one of the few valleys where Ladin is still spoken today. The Rhaeto-Romanic language goes back to the colonization of the Alpine regions by the Romans and has been passed down orally from generation to generation. Ladin is now taught as a compulsory school subject and is also featured in magazines and television programs. A visit to the “Museum de Gherdëina” in the Cësa de Ladins, the house of the Ladins in Ortisei, is worthwhile. It not only shows the history of the valley, but is also a memorial exhibition for Luis Trenker, perhaps the most famous son of Val Gardena. Wood carving has played an important role in the local economy since the 17th century. In the three valley towns there are numerous workshops where you can look over the shoulders of the craftsmen. The world's largest hand-carved nativity scene can be found in the Iman Center in St. Christina.

The Val Gardena stretches from the Sella massif westwards to the confluence with the Eisack valley near Waidbruck. If the Dolomite valley shows itself as a wild rock gorge at the mouth, it only expands at the “Ladin Gate” near Pontives into the actual valley basin. In the east rises the huge Sella massif, surrounded by the four Dolomite passes Gardena Pass, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo. The valley is bordered to the south by the horseshoe-shaped Langkofel group, which opens up to the Alpe di Siusi. In the north stretch the prominent peaks of the Geisler group, which drop over the extensive Rasciesa ridge to the west. Except for its secluded side arms, the Val Gardena has no side valleys, which is why its three places Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva are densely populated. Ortisei at the entrance to the valley shows itself to be the center of economic and cultural life, while S. Cristina has retained its village character. Selva at the head of the valley has made a name for itself as a winter sports center.