Ortisei

Ortisei is a small village perched in the mountains with traditional mansions, green fields and snowy peaks around—picturesque indeed! As idyllic as it might sound, it is actually a quite known and commercial destination where many wealthy people go to ski in the holiday valley of Val Gardena or to enjoy the natural surroundings. In fact, there is plenty of cable cars to reach different locations for skiing and hiking; don’t forget that this picturesque landscape is part of the Dolomites that made its way to the UNESCO heritage list in 2009.
This village is also popular for its artistic scene, in particular, its tradition of wood carving. While walking along the roads of the village, you’ll find several ateliers and galleries showcasing intricate artworks. In the centre of the town lies another popular tourist attraction, the Church of Ulrich, first built in the 13th century. Renovated later, its interiors boast Baroque elements with stuccoes, frescoes and multi-coloured marbles. While you might not expect it in Ortisei, the language spoken is neither Italian nor German but Ladin, which is spoken by over 80% of the population. Earlier, one could reach Ortisei by train but now it is only accessible by car or bus coming from Chiusa or Bolzano, just half an hour away.