| Val Gardena | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Trentino Alto Adige |
Val Gardena (in German Gröden or Grödnertal) is a valley of the Trentino Alto Adige.
To know
The valley is known above all for (ski) tourism, and numerous competitions of international importance are held here, as well as stages of the Alpine Ski World Cup. In recent years, a Super G and a downhill have been held on the Saslong slope. Val Gardena has 175 km of downhill slopes, 83 ski lifts and 115 km of cross-country trails.
Nature has favored Val Gardena by placing gigantic geological monuments there. In addition to the naturalistic aspects, there are also works created by man (and in part almost forgotten) such as the crucifix of Sëurasas or the church of S. Giacomo.
Geographical notes
It is crowned by the mountain ranges defined as the Gardena Dolomites. It is crossed by the Rio Gardena, 25 km long.
In Val Gardena there are some lakes mostly above 2,000 meters: the lech dl Dragon (2,680 m) on the Sella ledge, the Crespëina lake (2,380 m) in the Puez, the lakes Lech Sant (2,096 m), Lech from Iman (2208 m), Lech from Rijeda (2,135 m) and the Lech dla Scaies (2.050) onAlpe Mastlè.
The main municipalities of the valley are Ortisei, Santa Cristina Valgardena is Selva di Val Gardena, which extend between 1,200 and 1,700 meters above sea level.
Meadows and ski slopes exceed 2,500 m and the highest peak reaches 3,181 m.
Background
A crossroads of culture in the heart ofEurope Traces of an ancient history of two millennia are still visible in Val Gardena, when it was part of a territory nicknamed Ladinia. "Ladino" is a Rhaeto-Roman language which is still spoken fluently today in the four Ladin valleys Dolomites. It derives from a mixture of the Latin of the first Roman conquerors and Celtic (Rhaetian), a language spoken by the first inhabitants of the area. A similar circumstance makes Val Gardena the emblematic meeting place of various European cultures. The preservation of customs, traditions, cultural heritage and even more of the Ladin language, constitutes a bulwark of this people. "Bën unì" = "Welcome": just listen to this arcane language or attend a day of celebration, with the people of Val Gardena dressed in their traditional costumes, to rediscover, as if by magic, all the splendor of the past.
Spoken languages
The indigenous population of this valley is a Ladin native speaker (about 85-90% of the population). The valley is officially trilingual, and all denominations are reported in Italian, Ladin and German.
Culture and traditions
Traditional is the craftsmanship related to wood with particular attention to sculpture. Over 1,000 people are employed in this sector.
Val Gardena is also an important cultural center for the projects that are carried out here. In fact, for some years it has become one of the major reference points for international music, thanks to the Music FestiVal Gardena, a review of classical music concerts that takes place in July and August, to which some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world join. . In the same period young musicians come from all over to take part in the specialization courses (International Masterclasses) that take place here.
Territories and tourist destinations
- Ortisei (Urtijëi / St. Ulrich)
- Santa Cristina Valgardena (S. Cristina Gherdëina / St. Christina in Gröden)
- Selva di Val Gardena (Sëlva / Wolkenstein in Gröden)
Other destinations
How to get
By plane
The nearest airports are Bolzano, Innsbruck, Verona, Munich, Bergamo is Milan.
Val Gardena can be reached via "low cost"! Those who land in Bergamo, Verona or Innsbruck can book a low cost transfer to Val Gardena. Transfer to Val Gardena[link previously not working].
By car
The Val Gardena road system is directly connected to the Brenner motorway (A22). From the south you pass through Verona - Trento - Bolzano and arrive in Chiusa; and from the north take the route Innsbruck - Brenner – Closed. Here the exit "Chiusa - Val Gardena" is indicated. Following the road signs, in about twenty minutes you will reach Ortisei, further on you will find Santa Cristina Valgardena and then Selva di Val Gardena. The end of the valley and the Dolomite passes are only a few minutes away by car. In Val Gardena you can stay quietly even without using the car. In fact, not only does an excellent public transport service work, but various means of lifts depart from each location that take you directly to the top. Many guests forgo the car to reach Val Gardena by train, plane or bus.
On the train
Val Gardena is connected with the rest ofItaly and also with theNorthern Europe from excellent InterCity and EuroCity trains. They all stop in Bolzano or Bressanone. From Bolzano and from BressanoneDuring the day, several buses leave for Val Gardena. Some hotels provide direct transfers to and from the station.
Using the long-distance trains (EC, IC, ES) we recommend getting off at Bolzano station and from Bolzano using a regional train to Ponte Gardena. With the regional trains coming from Bologna / Verona you can reach Ponte Gardena without changing trains. From the Ponte Gardena railway station, on weekdays, there is a bus ride every 30 minutes to Val Gardena in connection with regional trains. The value cards of the integrated transport system are valid on both regional trains and bus lines. The value cards of 5.00, 10.00 or 25.00 Euro can be purchased at the railway stations or in the buses.
By bus
Bus timetables for Val Gardena Intercompany Information Service (SII).
How to get around
By plane
Bolzano airport.
By car
Val Gardena is connected to Ponte Gardena and to Valle Isarco from the state road 242 of Val Gardena e Sella Pass; a branch of this road also connects Ortisei with Closed, where there is a junction of the A22 motorway.
On the train
Railway station of Ponte Gardena.
By bus
Regional buses from Ponte Gardena, Closed is Bolzano.
What see
- Churches and chapels - In Val Gardena you can visit numerous churches and chapels such as the church of S. Giacomo or the church of Selva Gardena.
- Val Gardena Museum - Ethnographic Museum a Ortisei.
- Gardena Castle - Between Selva Gardena and S. Cristina, it is a hunting castle and summer residence in the Renaissance style which in its monumentality hides an aptitude for weapons of medieval origin. The name "Fischburg" derives from the numerous artificial lakes where the baron practiced a trout farm. Currently the castle belongs to the family of Baron Andrea Franchetti who lives there in the summer with his family. Visiting the inside of the castle is not allowed.
- Wolkenstein Castle - Perched on the Stevia wall.
- Stetteneck Castle - Archaeological remains of this medieval castle.
- Purger Monument - Near the Church Square, in honor of Mayor Johann Baptist Purger.
- Luis Trenker monument - On the promenade of the same name, in honor of the actor, director and architect.
Itineraries
- Castles of South Tyrol - A journey to discover the South Tyrolean manors which, born for military purposes, later became largely refined stately homes, centers of culture, examples of fine architecture, testimony to the greatness of the families who built them.
What to do
In summer
Are 12 plants in operation in the summer? A mobility card for the whole week allows the use of all the ski lifts and buses that connect Ortisei with Passo Sella and Passo Gardena.
- Hiking
- Climb
- Mountainbike
In winter
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Cross country skiing
- Tobogganing
At the table
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Val Gardena
Commons contains images or other files on Val Gardena
