Cultuur & bezienswaardigheden in de Dolomieten

Ortisei is the capital of Val Gardena, famous for its picturesque pedestrian area with great shops and cafés and its ornate woodcarvings.

This idyllic part of Val Gardena offers the possibility to enjoy the magic pedestrian area during your holiday with the breath-taking view to Sassolungo.

Shopping in Val Gardena is a fun experience. From ski suits to haute couture: you have a great choice. After strolling round the shops there are plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can indulge your palate.

The trail starts near the valley station of the Col Raiser cable car in S. Cristina and winds through the woods above Cristauta. Along the way, accessible from directions, there are five information stations, each dedicated to a different bird species in Val Gardena. Each station features a wooden sculpture, handcrafted by a master sculptor from Val Gardena, and offers interesting facts about the habits, lifestyle and characteristics of each species. You can hear the bird’s calls by scanning the board’s QR code, making the experience even more engaging.

The old Romanesque parish church, of which only very little remains today, got up at the same place as today's building, but it was much smaller and was across the present church building, facing east. In 1714 the tower was placed a Baroque onion. 1842-1845 was built on the site of the old, the new, classicist parish church. The parish church belongs to the biggest columnless church buildings in South Tyrol: She is 40 m long and 15,6 m wide in the ship. For her great she's also called the "cathedral on the mountain". Josef Arnold and his sons painted the blanket areas in 1844. The frescos show conditions of Stephanus and Laurentius' lifes. The altarpiece of the high altar shows Maria with the Jesus and the two deacons Stephanus and Laurentius. On the blanket are four smaller paintings with scenes from the Gospel and the four evangelists.

The anticque Ansitz Lusenegg was built in the 13th century. The noble family, who lived there, was well-to-do. Impressionable are the stone curtain wall, the crenellated gable wall and the wood-paneled room.

The ice holes, also called ice cellars, are generally found in the Otradige, but also in Pontives/Laion three such ice cellars have been found. This is a rare natural phenomenon that can be explained by the physical principle of the wind tube. The warm summer air flows in the scree from the top to the bottom and is cooled down very much. The heavy cold air flows out of the "cellars" again and thus the surrounding area is also cooled very strongly. Ice forms on the rock surfaces. In the winter months, this system collapses as the conditions are reversed. The cellars were built over gaps in the ground and insulated from the outside. They look like small bunkers. 
The three ice cellars of Lajen are located in the Val Gardena valley at the turnoff to San Pietro in Valle. The largest one is located right next to the road and consists of two chambers. The two smaller ones are located in the forest.

The "landmark" of the Cislesalpe is the Pieralongia, a small rock tower that broke off from the Fermeda walls at some point.A beautiful and peaceful place to rest, hike and marvel at.

Place of birth of the alleged minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide (1168 - 1230) Walther von der Vogelweide, poet and minstrel is presumed to have been born in Vogelweiderhof Novale/Ried Laion in 1170, this thesis is supported by Mr. Haller who in 1867 published an article on the subject. The coat of arms of the City Laion shows a bird in a cage in memory of the poet. A guest register is still available. Visit against reservation by Fam.Mair

A chapel dedicated to Santa Cristina existed here probably at the end of the 12th century. A Romanesque church was mentioned in a papal document in 1342. The bell tower walls, up to the roof eaves, date back to that period. The church was extensively altered and enlarged: the choir is in the Gothic style, and a polygonal ossuary was added in the 16th century. The main altar (1690, Vinazer dynasty of sculptors) is worth a visit. The bronze statue of St. Philomena by Dominik Mahlknecht, once in the ossuary, is now in the main sqare of S. Cristina.

St. Peter forms an independent parish, Lajen's parish priest, however, looks after the spiritual welfare. Churches, which are dedicated to Saint Petrus usually point to a high age. The parish church in St. Peter documentarily reaches back to 1241. The church was already rebuilt in the 15th century, so nothing more reminds of the originally Romanesque building today. Today's baroque making is even younger, it was consecrated in 1767. In the inside are great ceiling frescos, which were painted from Josef Arnold,who also painted the blanket frescos of the parish church in Lajen. Three paintings are attached to the parapet of the gallery: Peter cures the lame (on the left), Saint Cäcilia (in the middle) and the conversion of Saint Paulus (on the right). The high altar dates from the building time of the church. The painting represents the farewell of Peter and Paulus. The side altars have different saint figures which have been made in the 18th century. The figures at the outside of the pulpit show figures which symbolize the three cardinal virtues (faith, hope and love).

The Vallunga is part of the Dolomites - UNESCO World Natural Heritage and is located in the heart of the natural park Puez Geisler, which now covers an area of ​​about 10,722 ha. The natural park extends in the north to the Passo Erbe and in the south to the Passo Gardena; In the east it reaches the Val Badia (Kampill, Untermoj), in the west the Val di Funes and Val Gardena.

The valley is bedded in between rocky walls that fascinate tourists in summer as in winter. It offers countless opportunities for sports enthusiasts and real nature lovers, as it is part of the Europe-wide protected area network Natura 2000, which primarily aims to protect the habitats and wild fauna and flora.

WINTER: The valley, which extends over several kilometers, is great in winter for snowshoeing and hiking and is a dream come true for cross-country skiers. It enchants both children and adults with fantastic panoramas immersed in unique mountain peaks. SUMMER: Fresh springs and pure mountain air bewitch us on all our hikes in this unique holiday paradise. Both cyclists and climbers will get their money's worth. With its numerous hiking trails, the Vallunga is the ideal starting point for hikers of all ages.

Walther von der Vogelweide is the most successful and most quoted singer of the Middle Ages and, according to historical research, almost certainly Lajen's most famous citizen from a past century. About 500 stanzas have been preserved by the master of „Minnesang“ and have been preserved for posterity in various manuscripts. On the basis of his song texts, it is possible to reconstruct his eventful life, his values and his role in medieval society. Walther was an admirer of women, a mouthpiece of his time and sometimes a strenuous contemporary due to his sharp tongue.

The interactive exhibition in the Minnehus is dedicated to the life and work of the medieval star in more than 40 interactive, creative, acoustic and visual stations. Visitors soon realize that although Walther lived in the 12th and 13th centuries, his echo still resonates today.

 

Next up is the Dolomites World Heritage Cinema, where you can marvel at the stunning scenic view on the unique mountains of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puez Odle Nature Park and the imposing Sassolungo and Sassopiatto. You can also use a telescope (or do without one) to see every summit, then comparing it with the wood carved mountains created at the S. Cristina workshops.

The late Gothic church was mentioned already in 1147 for the first time. According to the legend the church stands on the foundations of a heathen victim place. Today's building was built in the 15th century. Gothic elements of the church are the ogival portals, the rosette window above the main entrance with the Gothic three passports and the dainty net ribbed vaulting inside. The high altar (at 1620) shows Jesus' birth, statues of Peter and Paulus as well as figures from the Life of the Virgin Mary. The painted windows on the left and on the right side of the high altar were donated from Lajen's nobility families in 1905. The remaining fittings are in the neo-Gothic style. The tower of Our Lady's Church is adorned on the northern side and has impressing frescos.

In the 'Art Galaria' art gallery you will find the works of 11 local artists (wood sculptors, painters, artists, bronze sculptures...).
The works are handmade by the individual artists.
It is also possible to find one of the artists directly on site during opening hours.

Today's church was built toward the middle of the 15th century after a village fire. The walls of the nave and the shaft of the tower should be considerably older. A gigantic Christophorus fresco which might have arisen at 1500, is on the right next to the portal of the church. On the left and on the right on the lower side of the fresco are Saint Nicholas with the three golden balls and Saint George with a dragon. Saint George is the second patron saint of the church. The church inside surprises with a pointed arch portal, the lancet windows and an impressive net vault. The baroque high altar (1720) shows Saint Silvester, Saint George, Saint Margareth, Saint Valentin and Saint Nicholas, who looks to the Mother of God with the child. The masterpiece of the church is the gothic winged altar (called the "Georgsaltar", 1520) from Artist Andre Haller from Brixen. In the middle of the winged altar is Saint George on the horse, who fights against the Dragon. On the right side Margareth knees in front of a lamp and prays for a good ending of the fight. In the background are represented Saint George's parents and his execution. The wings of the altar show Saint Joachim with a book and Saint Anna together with the Mother of God and the child.

In Laion village, next to the Maria Einsiedel chapel, there is a wayside shrine that dates back to the 17th century. In the niches of the wayside shrine are representations such as a crucifixion group, two holy warriors, St. John and St. Margaret and the visit of Mary to Elizabeth.

The origin of the church surely reaches back much further than the consecration in 1465. In the inside are shown the consecrating document, translated into German, and a detailed list of the restaoration work of 1989.The capstones of the soft net ribbed vaulting represent saint figures and different coats of arms. The painting of the baroque high altar (1733) shows Saint Mary with the child and Saint Jakobus Senior and Saint Jakobus Junior. These two saints are represented, together with Saint Silvester and a Bishop, on both sides of the church one more time. Moreover, a Pieta from the 18th century and a figure of Saint Valentin with a cattle are remarkable (at 1800).

The Stone City is located on Passo Sella under the famous Sassolungo, it is a "city" with a lot of stones of different sizes which you can climb or walk around. Along the path you have an amazing view of the city and its surroundings.

The Rasciesa is part of the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the nature park Puez-Odle. During summer, as well as in winter, the Rasciesa is a famous destination for numerous guests. In early summer, you can admire the beautiful flower that transforms the plateau into a sea of color. Even during the winter months you can enjoy numerous activities, such as hiking and snowshoeing.

The church reaches back to the year 1437, but it might be fundamentally older. According to the legend the Church of Saint Bartholomäus is the oldest place of worship on Lajener area. The entrance, the stout tower with the shingle pyramid and the sound windows show obviously Romanesque features. The inside shows fresco remains in different places, in the past, the church was probably colored completely. The altar is kept in the late baroque style and represents Holy Mary with saints. There are the statues of holy Josef and holy Johannes between the columns. The sculptures at the left long house wall (Katharina and Barbara, Bartholomäus and a Bishop) are valuable, too. In addition, are worth mentioning the old baptismal font and the bell from 1580 (next to the altar). Between the church and the Mesnerhaus is a walnut tree, which is a splendid natural monument.

Already in 1239 was mentioned the consecration of the church. Today's making should have been made, however, in the context of a baroque change in the 18th century. The stout tower with the four-sided pyramid roof is impressive. A broad canopy is located in the main entrance at the west façade. The frescos at this façade show the Saints Johannes, Laurentius, Stephanus and Christophorus and were donated, according to an inscription, from Hans von Freising to Aichach and Dorothea von Freising in 1727. The altar is in a neo-Gothic style. A sculpture , called the "Johannesschüssel", is a copy of a very valuable sculpture from the 14th century. A sculpture of Saint Mary with her child from the master Leonhard of Brixen's school is also deposited in this church.

The church has been consecrated in 1434. The west façade shows a little weathered fresco remains, which show the Last Judgement and the Saint Christophorus. The church has a baroque altar. In the altar shrine are sculptures of Saint Mary with the child as well as Barbara (on the left) and Katharina (on the right). Right above is God father with the globe. Worth mentioning is the pretty Gothic net vault with a painted capstone. The right side altar shows holy Antonius of Padua and the left one Maria with the child and the wine patron Saint Urban, who hands the child a grape. Besides that are another two saint shapes, namely Saint Leonhard with the chain and again Saint Urban with the grape.

10 years Christmas village Ortisei - The picturesque capital of the Val Gardena, has been enchanting its visitors during the Christmas season since 2014. It has become a beautiful tradition: Ortisei's pedestrian area transforms into a true fairy-tale landscape adorned with Christmas decorations that captivate visitors of all ages. Along the pedestrian zone, typical wooden huts welcome visitors. In an impressive manner, the Christmas village Ortisei combines the deeply rooted traditions of the Val Gardena with the elegance and exclusivity of the offerings of the hut operators.

The festive atmosphere is accompanied by the Christmas tunes of local musicians, spreading joy and serenity in the air. Visitors can stroll through the Christmas village, admire local craftsmanship, discover regional delicacies, and find original gift items among the Christmas huts.

The Christmas village is an experience that engages all the senses and offers moments of joy and sharing in an enchanting environment. It is a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the tradition and culture of the mountains and fully experience the spirit of Christmas in a magical atmosphere.

Opening times Christmas Village Ortisei:
30.11.2024 - 01.12.2024
16.00h - 19.00h - gastronomy till 20.00h

05.12.2024 until 05.01.2025
From Monday to Friday: 16.00 - 19.00h
Weekend: 11.00h - 19.00h
Gastronomy: till 20.00h

Special opening hours: 
24.12.2024: 11.00h - 17.00h
25.12.2024: only gastronomy 11.00h - 20.00h

The Holy Cross Chapel is a mountain chapel on Resciesa near Laion/Lajen. The little church was built in 1755 and has been preserved until today. The last restoration took place in 2012 by the rifle company Laion and since then the chapel has been protected as an architectural monument. Inside the church there is a large crucifix that dates back to the first half of the 18th century. In summer, the chapel is always open to visitors during the day.