Geography

Val Gardena is a tributary valley of Valle Isarco and extends from east to west for 25 km. The valley lies at an altitude ranging from 2244 m at the Passo Sella to 471 m in Ponte Gardena. In Pontives there is the German-Ladin linguistic boundary and the actual beginning of Val Gardena. Through the whole valley runs the Rio Gardena (German Grödner Bach, Ladin Derjon), which rises at the Passo Sella and joins the Isarco in Ponte Gardena. Val Gardena comprises three municipalities: Ortisei (German St. Ulrich, Ladin Urtijëi), S. Cristina (German St. Christina, Ladin S. Crestina) and Selva Gardena (German Wolkenstein, Ladin Sëlva). The localities Bulla (German Pufels, Ladin Bula), Roncadizza (German Runggaditsch, Ladin Runcadic) and Oltretorrente (German Überwasser, Ladin Sureghes) belong geographically and linguistically to Val Gardena but were annexed long ago to the municipality of Castelrotto (German Kastelruth, Ladin Ciastel).

Ortisei is the main village of the valley and has approximately 6000 inhabitants. The village can look back on a long and intensive history in the trade with wooden handicraft products and boasts four important churches: the medieval St. Jacob’s church, the St. Anthony’s church on the same-named square, the St. Anne’s cemetery church and the parish church consecrated to St. Ulderico. Because of the steady population growth, the main church, that is to say the parish church erected in 1342, was completely rebuilt in 1793 thanks to the magnanimity of the wealthy locals. The church was enriched with furnishings and ornaments made by the best artists and artisans of the valley.

S. Cristina lies in the geographical middle of the valley and has only approximately 1900 inhabitants, thus being the least populated municipality of the valley. It is located right in front of the symbol of Val Gardena, the majestic Sassolungo (3181 m), which is climbed by many mountaineers every year. With the construction of a bypass in 2009, it was possible to take away the traffic from the village centre. Since then, the locals and the numerous tourists enjoy a much quieter and more pleasant life in the centre.

Selva Gardena is situated at 1563 m and has about 2600 inhabitants. From the village, one can admire the Sella Group, the Sassolungo and the Puez. It borders in the east on the mountain passes which enable to drive round the Sella Group and to reach two more Ladin valleys: the Val Badia crossing the Passo Gardena and the Val di Fassa crossing the Passo Sella. Selva Gardena is one of the most popular holiday destinations in winter as well as in summer.