WORTH A VISIT

Discover the precious art and cultural heritage of Ladinine!

The Val Badia is impressive not only because of its natural landscape and range of outdoor activities, but also because of its cultural attractions. There are five museums around La Val, two of which are dedicated to Ladin artistic and cultural heritage. Those who are interested in the natural history of the region also come here on their own account. Many sacred buildings, including a pilgrimage church at over 2000 m high, testify to the strong religiosity of the Ladins, who have found their saint in Josef Freinademetz from the abbey.

WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT

CHAPEL OF ST BARBARA IN LA VALLE

Idyllic viewpoint near the ruins of the old parish church

The Barbara Chapel is perched solemnly in a panoramic position on a hill above La Val. It was built in the 15th century by miners who smelted iron from Monte Pore in the Valparola Valley. Of particular historical value are the murals inside the church and the painting on the outside wall depicting the scene of the crucifixion in open countryside.


The 1 km hike to the chapel follows the meditation path "Memento Vivere", a journey of reflection with the five stages of life (birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age), which was created in 2006.

SAN MARTINO IN BADIA IN SAN MARTINO IN BADIA

Past, present and future of the Ladin Dolomite Valleys

The Ladin Museum, housed in Thurn Castle, is dedicated to more than 30,000 Dolomite Ladines, whose common identity is determined by two essential elements: the language of folklore and the unique mountain scenery of the Dolomites. With the help of the latest multimedia technology, the museum provides an insight into the history, language, culture, legends, archaeology, geology, tourism and crafts of the Dolomite valleys. In addition, it helps to ensure that the cultural heritage of the Ladin valleys is not forgotten.

BIRTH HOUSE OF ST JOSEF FREINADEMETZ IN OIES IN BADIA

On the life and work of the famous Ladin missionary

Josef (Ladin Ujöp) Freinademetz was born in Oies in 1852 to a family of farmers. Soon after his ordination, he travelled to China as a missionary, where he spent his entire life. In China, he constantly faced persecution, illness and poverty and only found comfort in his strong faith. The first records of his miracles have been available since 1939, but it was only in 2003 that he was canonised by Pope John Paul II. His birthplace and the small, stylish Church of the Holy Cross are places to commemorate his life and works.

PILGRIMAGE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS IN BADIA

At the foot of the Heiligkreuzkofel at 2,045 m above sea level

High above the hamlet of Oies in Badia, in which St Josef Freinademetz was born, a church was built 600 years ago at a former pagan place of worship; In 1484 it was consecrated by the Bishop of Brixen to the Holy Cross. The adjoining hospice, which housed the Mesner and the pilgrims, now serves as a refuge. The pilgrimage site, which is located on the Armentara meadows in the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, is led to by beautiful pilgrimage and hiking trails from St Leonhard, La Villa and St Kassian; from St Leonhard a chairlift also brings you directly to La Crusc.

LADIN MUSEUM URSUS LADINICUS IN SAN CASSIANO

The "Ladin Bear" from the Conturines Cave, the highest Bear Cave in the world

Opened in 2011 in San Cassiano, the Ladin Museum Ursus Ladinicus is entirely dedicated to the prehistoric cave bear. On three floors, visitors can learn all about the history and the habitat of Ursus Ladinicus, which lived around 40,000 years ago. Video installations, a complete skeleton of a cave bear and the detailed replica of a "sleeping Ursus ladinicus" enrich the tour. A separate section on the geology of the Dolomites illustrates the most important stages of their formation on the basis of beautiful fossils.

MÜHLENTAL IN LONGIARÙ

The "Val di Morins" brings the everyday culture of the mountain farmers of the past back to life

Superbly located in an incomparable rural setting near Campill, at about 1.5 km along the rushing Seresbach, there are eight old but completely restored watermills, some of which are still used by local farmers. In an idyllic and instructive walk you stroll past the rattling and clattering mills and also the two "Viles" Seres and Miscí, probably the most characteristic and original peasant settlements in the Val Badia. The first of the eight mills can also be visited from the inside.

OPEN-AIR MUSEUM OF THE 1ST WORLD WAR AT LAGAZUOI

The Dolomites as the scene of tragic events in the 20th century

In the breathtaking mountain landscape of the Lagazuoi - 5 Torri area fierce fighting took place during the First World War between the Italian and Austrian alpine troops. Over the last few years, one of the largest museums of the First World War has been built on three open-air sites: the Museum at Lagazuoi, the Museum 5 Torri and the Museum at Sas de Stria. In the war fortress at the Valparola Pass, built in 1897 to defend the southern borders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a museum has been set up: The Museum Forte Tre Sassi.

NATURE PARK HOUSE FANES-SENNES-PRAGS IN SAN VIGILIO

An window into the third-largest nature park in South Tyrol

The visitor centre of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park in St Vigil in Mareo is like a window into the nature park. Showcases, interactive media, videos and panels present the morphology and habitats of the area with its flora and fauna, the emergence of the Dolomites, the cave bear of the Conturines, the fossils and the Ladin mythology. Terrariums with reptiles from the nature park, a children's playground with games, a microscope table and crafting materials, a small library and a rich programme of events round off the visitor attractions.

MESSNER MOUNTAIN MUSEUM CORONES IN PLAN DE CORONES

Large-scale completion of the museum project by mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner

The MMM Corones, located at 2,275 m on the most spectacular viewing plateau in South Tyrol, is all about traditional mountaineering, which was decisively shaped by Reinhold Messner. Here, alpine history is told and the unique view of the great walls of the Dolomites and Alps is included in the exhibition. In the unmistakable museum building of star architect Zaha Hadid, the view goes beyond national borders in all directions: from the Lienz Dolomites in the east to the Ortler in the west, from the Marmolada in the south to the Zillertal Alps in the north.

FOLKLORE MUSEUM IN TEODONE DI BRUNICO

A journey into the rural past on an open-air site of three hectares

One of the most beautiful open-air museums in Europe is how the ADAC Leisure Atlas describes the South Tyrolean Folklore Museum, which is housed in the baroque residence Mair am Hof and a three-hectare open-air area with many attractions: the authentically furnished farms with their well-tended gardens, the well-equipped craft workshops and the numerous pets are attractions for young and old. There are regular action days with topics such as "From grain to bread", "From sheep shearing to wool" or "Old handicrafts".