To visit in Val Badia

Culture, history and traditions of Val Badia

Val Badia is inhabited by Ladins, a population that was able to preserve its language, culture and identity to this day, thanks to the particular morphology of the valley. A culture that has its roots in rural life, craftsmanship and a strong bond between man and environment. The Ladin’s mother tongue is Ladino (Retro Romanic), but they also speak fluent German and Italian, along with some English.

The typical Ladin architecture, the forms of common organisation represented by the Viles, the specialties of fine dining and Ladin traditions punctuated by the rhythm of the seasons, are some examples of the distinctive traces that history left behind in Val Badia.

Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor

Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor

Since 2001, the museum based in San Martino in Badia has welcomed visitors to learn about the history, archaeology, language, culture, arts, crafts, legends, geology and the development of tourism in the 5 Ladin valleys of the Dolomites. Inside the 18th century castle, the visitor gains an insight into the rich history and life of the Ladins, highlighting correlations between the exceptional landscape and the lifestyle of this ancient population.

Val di Murins Lungiarü

Val di Murins

An intriguing outdoor museum that gives one an understanding of what once upon a time was essential for the sustenance of the Ladin population. The water mills have been restored and are certainly worth visiting. To get there one has to walk on a lovely 1.5 km path, between the two beautiful “viles” of Sere and Mischì.

Museum Ursus Ladinicus

Museum Ursus Ladinicus

The Museum Ladin Ursus Ladinicus is located in the centre of San Cassiano, in Alta Badia, and is dedicated to the extraordinary discovery of a new species of a cave bear, found in the caves of Conturines. These bears lived around 40.000 years ago. The exhibition is set out over three floors and shows not only the skeletons, skulls and bones of the “Bear of Conturines”, but also a reproduction of the cave itself and there is a fascinating section dedicated to the formation of the Dolomite mountain range.

Native house Ojöp Freinademetz

Ojöp Freinademetz

One of the most important figures for the Ladin people, the Holy Ojöp Freinademetz is an extraordinary example of life dedicated to the service of others. In the district of Oies, above the village of Badia, it is possible to visit both his birthplace and the church, which is dedicated to his Chinese missionary works.