Churches & Monasteries
La Val, Dolomites Region Alta Badia
Old parish church St. Genesius.
Sur les traces de notre histoire, tu te baladeras dans des châteaux et des forteresses, tu visiteras des églises et des monastères et tu découvriras, lors de visites guidées, des témoins de l'époque, des bâtiments et des places dignes d'intérêt. Inspirées par les anciens et les nouveaux maîtres, les coutumes et l'actualité, les différentes manifestations culturelles telles que les expositions, le théâtre, la danse et la musique t'invitent à échanger avec l'art et la culture.
Old parish church St. Genesius.
Ladin, the native language of the local population, is a Rhaeto-Romance tongue spoken not only in Val Badia but also in the valleys and villages surrounding the Sella massif (Val Gardena, Fodom, Fassa and Ampezzo) and as far away as in the Friuli region and in the Swiss canton of Grisons. Taught in schools and used in every-day life throughout the Ladin-speaking community, it is the mother tongue of around 30,000 locals.
For access to the internet, our guests may use the Wi-Fi connection available at the "Istitut Ladin Micura de Rü" in the centre of the village. Open Mon-Thurs: 10 am–12 pm and 3–5 pm; Fri: 10 am–12 pm; Sat-Sun closed ; Phone (+39) 0474523110
The "Isitut Ladin Micura de Rü" ist the cultural centre of the Ladin language.
The Fanes-Senes-Braies natural park, Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage since 2009, measures approx. 25,680 hectares and spreads across the municipalities of Badia and La Val in Alta Badia, Braies, Dobbiaco, Marebbe and Valdaora. The Dolomite High Route no. 1 leads through the area of the Fanes-Senes-Braies natural park.
The mountains facing Val Pusteria valley form the park's northern, Val Badia valley its western boundary; in the south the Fanes-Senes-Braies natural park stretches all the way to South Tyrol's provincial border in the direction of Cortina and the Val di Landro valley marks its eastern boundary against the Dolomiti di Sesto. The steep, almost insurmountable rock faces protect a morphologically and scenically highly diverse, broad area of alpine pastures and high plateaus.
The majority of Fanes-Senes-Braies natural park's area is covered by mountain pastures and meadows which are characterised by a unique variety of plant life. Leopard's bane, gentian, orchids, bistort and golden hawksbeard are commonly found. The vegetation zones range from mountain forests near the valleys to above 3,000 metres (9,842 ft). Fanes-Senes-Braies natura preserve's fauna is representative for the Dolomites.
It is also called "the shining face of the Dolomites" because of the rich variety of its vegetation and landscapes, with steep cliffs rising at the edge of the Park and protecting a large area of pastures and colorful plateaus.
A hike through the Nature Park will take you to the mysterious places of the legend of the Kingdom of Fanes. The saga, which is considered the Ladin national epic poem, tells of the expansion of the mythical Fanes empire and its fall, of the princesses Moltina and Dolasilla, of the evil wizard Spina de Mul and of the fearless hero Ey de Net.
The Puez-Odle Nature Park in the Dolomites is estendet on a area of the 3 valleys: Val Badia, Val Gardena and Valle d'Isarco.
Geologists also refer to the Puez-Odle Nature Park as the "building site of the Dolomites". Here, one can find all of the typical Dolomite rock types, strata and erosion forms. This park offers the hole year a large variety of possibilities for all nature and lovers.
On the site of a small workshop that was to be demolished, next to the existing barn, a larger studio and garage were to be built. The site was to change as little as possible; the new building was to enlarge the existing structure of the farm and its size integrated into the surroundings. The entrance is under the barn bridge, which is on the same level as the new studio’s gallery and thus establishes a link between the two buildings. The garage below is equally unseen from the street, as is the entire height of the studio − both of which are accessible from the courtyard below. The new structures were built of concrete, with an insulated outer shell made of vertical larch cladding. The roof is likewise made of larch wood and has a large studio window on the northern side. The interior of the workshop has been kept white and decorated with light-colored wood.
Together with the pre-existing buildings, summit station of the cable car and pizza pavilion, the new mountain restaurant forms a courtyard situation sheltered from the wind in the very exposed, protected landscape site. The new building, however, crouches down, an elongated single-story building, and appears almost as if part of the site. The architecture goes against the usual style of a mountain hut: a wide, cantilevered platform roof protects the underlying perimetric floor-to-ceiling glass façade, which makes the building appear more transparent and lighter. Familiar materials, though, were used: wood terraces, wood furniture, as well as natural stone masonry for the kitchen and adjoining room area. Three timber-clad cubes divide the otherwise completely open floor plan of the spacious guest area, which feels more like a lounge than a mountain hut.
Parish church St. Genesius.
The Castle Ehrenburg was the residence of the Sirs von Ehrenburg, who were later called von Künigl. It was built in the 12th century. During the 15th century, the castle was extended, and in the year 1512, it was extended again with the arcade yard. In the year 1732, it was converted into a baroque castle. The big hall, the bay windows, the wooden paneling, and the paintings on the ceiling, as well as the castle chapel are very remarkable. The castle is not open to visitors.
Only visible from the outside.
Down the road of the kid park in Niederolang (Via Rienza) up to Mühlbach the are big stone with their signs that are about the thema of stones.
Fishing becomes a precious experience for families at the idyllically located fish pond in Antholz Niedertal. No fishing certification is required
The fishing equipment can be rented directly at the fish pond itself. A playground and a bar with terrace can be found there as well.
The chapel near the court Burgfrieden on the western side of the valley is one of the youngest chapel in Rasun / Rasen. It is privately owned and belongs to the Burgfrieder farm.
The parish church St. Petrus and Paulus in Kiens was built between 1835 and 1838. Only the tower dates back to the 15th century. The paintings on the ceiling are remarkable.
Between the Antholz Nieder- und Mittertal stands next to the street the baroque chapel "Sießl". According to an inscription, the chapel Sießl was built in 1820 and renovated in 1886.
Also if the chapel in Neunhäusern / Nove Case is situated on Rasner municipality, it belongs to the parish of Olang / Valdaora.
Permanent exhibition of paintings by R. Mussner c/o Stüa dal Te Raetia. The works are also for sale.
The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus tells the fascinating story of the cave bear that lived over 50,000 years ago in the Dolomites and was discovered in the Conturines cave, considered the highest-altitude site in the world where the remains of the cave bear and cave lion have been found. Visitors can also explore the geological history of the Dolomites, beautifully narrated through stunning fossils.
The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, an annex of the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor in San Martino in Badia, is spread over three floors.
On the top floor, the formation of the Dolomites is illustrated with unique fossils of great scientific interest, typical of the area surrounding San Cassiano.
Next is the section dedicated to the formation of the cave, its discovery, and the excavations that unearthed thousands of bones. All the essential aspects of the cave bear's life and its environment are explained through the Ursus ladinicus remains, dating back more than 50,000 years.
On the ground floor, visitors can explore a reconstruction of the bear's cave, where they can admire "the mother bear in eternal hibernation with her cub."
Accessible for people with disabilities: The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus is fully wheelchair accessible.
Ansitz Heufler by Norbert Niederkofler
Ansitz Heufler, located in the picturesque Antholz Valley in South Tyrol, is a historic manor house dating back to 1580. Built by the noble family Hohenbühel zu Heufler, the estate is regarded as an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture and has been carefully preserved to maintain its historical value.
The wood-paneled rooms on the first floor are among the most atmospheric in the entire region—most notably the historic “Hearnstube”, adorned with an intricately crafted ceramic stove bearing the Heufler family coat of arms. Celebrated as one of the most beautiful parlors in all of Tyrol, it impressively blends artisan craftsmanship with living tradition.
On the door to the Hearnstube, one can see a fine engraving of the south façade of Ansitz Heufler: a square, three-story structure surrounded by four diagonally positioned corner towers with characteristic gabled roofs.
The old “Rauchkuchl”, now transformed into a stylish lounge bar, was once a traditional open kitchen where food was cooked and smoked over an open flame or in a smoke channel – a method that added rich flavor and ensured long preservation.
Among the most distinctive architectural features are the bay windows and the towers themselves, all topped with steep gabled roofs. The large windows on the first floor are decorated with finely wrought iron grilles, adorned with elegant floral motifs.
Today, Ansitz Heufler presents itself as a refined residence offering luxurious hospitality and culinary excellence. Guests are immersed in a unique experience where historical charm meets modern comfort – an authentic journey back in time through the preserved spirit of an ancient noble home.
Since May 2025, the estate has been led by South Tyrolean Three Michelin Star chef Norbert Niederkofler, who has breathed new life into the residence, infusing it with his signature philosophy, “Cook the Mountain”. Ansitz Heufler features 10 rooms, a public restaurant, and a bar with a scenic terrace.
Fallen heroes memorial of the war of 1809 in the Klosterwald in St. Lorenzen.
The Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park lies in the midst of the Braies-Prags Dolomites and the Fanes chain. Typical karst forms such as fissures and limestone pavements, cracks, and sinkhole ponds characterize this area, the core of which is formed by the Malga Fane-Fane Alm and the broad Prato Piazza-Plätzwiese. And in the middle of the proudly soaring mountains is embedded the true gem of mountain lakes: the emerald shimmering Lago di Bràies-Pragser Wildsee.
The Galgenbühel gravel bank near Windschnur, which is formed of ice and water, has regained its strategic importance of late.
Under the fascist regime which took hold in 1939, many bunkers were built into the Alpine Wall in order to secure the Italian border against the German Reich. This bunker will be transformed into an exhibition and venue. It also bears witness to a long-outdated strategic defence system.
Ladin Museum - Tor Castle In the very heart of the Dolomites live more than 30,000 Dolomite Ladins whose identity is characterised mainly by two important features: the uniqueness of their language, which derives from popular Latin, and the extraordinary mountain landscape at the heart of the southern Alps. It is only thanks to the physical characteristics of this landscape that the Ladin language has survived today. It is the eldest of all languages spoken in this region and is restricted by the Italian and the German cultural and linguistic areas that surround it. The way through the museum focuses on some significant aspects of the present and past lives of the Dolomite Ladins, highlighting the important influences of cross-regional events on the lives of the population and pinpointing the existing interrelations between landscape forms and lifestyles. The museum is housed in the Ciastel de Tor, a castle dating back to 1230, created as a fiefdom of the Bishops of Brixen.
The castle is available as a wedding venue for couples interested in crowning an unforgettable day and experiencing a fairytale moment in a medieval castle.
A church of the village was already mentioned in a document of the 15th century.
The reconstructed building dates back to 1782. The exterior aspect of the building consists of clearly separated architectural parts, while the interior decoration presents a subdivision in pilasters.
Above the forest cemetery in Brunico, an easy family-friendly path leads to the three lakes. A beautiful recreation area on Kühlbergl next to the city center in the middle of nature.
