St. Ulrich - Ortisei

Numerous events, festivals, but also its neat and clean streets, the inviting gourmet restaurants and luxurious hotels make the once difficult to reach village of Ortisei in Val Gardena one of the most popular villages in South Tyrol. Ortisei is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. Here you can climb through dense coniferous forests into the fascinating mountain world of the Dolomites, hike over comfortable paths to the summit of the Pic or walk to St. Magdalena in the Villnöss Valley to admire the impressive rocky crags of the Geisler. The village of Lajen or the summit of Seceda - a true winter paradise for winter sports enthusiasts - are also very rewarding excursion destinations. Around Ortisei the fantastic ski areas of the famous ski carousel Dolomiti Superski such as the Alpe di Siusi are a real Eldorado for skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers. 

Ortisei in Val Gardena is also a sought-after place for those seeking relaxation: The typical mountain farms have been largely renovated and converted into luxurious hotels where you can enjoy a stay in every comfort. 

For shopping fans there are numerous shops in the pedestrian zone in the centre, while those interested in culture can look forward to many buildings of artistic interest. Worth seeing is for example the little church of St. Jakob, the oldest church in Val Gardena, which can be reached in a quarter of an hour from the village. On the way there you can enjoy the wonderful view of Platt- and Sassolungo. The Gherdëina Museum houses beautiful sculptures, archaeological finds, paintings by Ladin painters and a memorial collection by Luis Trenker, a well-known local director and mountaineer. We also recommend the small and characteristic chapel of St. Anton, the true heart of Ortisei. Entering the 18th century parish church dedicated to St. Ulrich, one immediately notices the statue of St. Louis Moroder, an artist from Val Gardena, and the painting on the high altar by Josef Moroder depicting the Three Kings worshipping the Child Jesus. Lovers of typical local handicrafts should not miss a visit to the Unika Gallery. In the winter months, the snow sculpture competition takes place every year, in which famous artists create magnificent figures from ice cubes.