SAN MARTINO IN BADIA
The home of the Ladin National Museum
San Martin de Tor is the cultural centre of the Val Badia. In the castle of Thurn, the landmark of Ladinia, the Ciastel de Tor Ladin Museum is housed, which presents the history of the Dolomite Ladinsin a vivid manner; the Ladin Cultural Institute Micura de Rü, also based in St Martin, also endeavours to preserve the Ladin culture. Skiing fans will also get their money's worth in St Martin: in the district of Piculin, you can directly access the Kronplatz ski area and reach the slopes of Alta Badia via a shuttle every 20 minutes.
LONGIARÙ
The first mountaineering village in the Dolomites
Lungiarü is located in a natural side valley, surrounded by meadows, woods and pastures, at the entrance of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, away from the tourist centres of the Val Badia. The traditional mountain village, which belongs to the international network of mountaineering villages, is impressive thanks to the well-preserved "Viles", the oldest and most peculiar housing estates in the Val Badia, which can be admired on the leisurely round trip "Roda dles Viles". The trip to the Mühlental and the hike to the 2,875 m-high Peitlerkofel mountain are particularly rewarding.
ANTERMOIA
Ladin hospitality at the foot of the Peitlerkofels
Untermoi, the highest village of San Martin de Tor, lies on a sunny slope at the foot of the Würzjoch and the Peitlerkofels. This mountain is a western cornerstone of the South Tyrolean Dolomites and is one of the most popular peaks of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park. Unhurried hikers prefer to circle the distinctive mountain and to admire the colourful variety of flowers on the Peitler meadows. Untermoi is also known for the springs of Bad Valdander, a historic spa with an adjoining inn, which is still used for cures based around bathing and drinking.
SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE
The gateway to the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park
St Vigil is the capital of the municipality of Mareo, the northernmost of the Val Badia; as in the whole valley, Ladin has been spoken here for 2000 years. The village is located at the entrance of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, which can be reached through the idyllic Rautal. St Vigil is also a popular holiday destination for mountain bikers - it is not for nothing that the cross-border Transalp Challenge stops here. In winter, the sunny village, which lies at the heart of the Kronplatz holiday region, is a popular meeting place for skiers, cross-country skiers, hikers and touring skiers.
PIEVE DI MAREBBE
Tradition and history away from mass tourism
Mareo Parish is located on the western flank of Kronplatz, on the way to the 1,789 m-high Furkelpass, which leads to Olang in the neighbouring Pustertal. The village is almost entirely devoted to agriculture and includes numerous "Viles", the oldest housing estates in the Val Badia, as well as a very old centre with a church, Widum and school. The parish church is devoted to the Holy Mother of God and represents one of the most famous Marian sanctuaries in South Tyrol. In it you can admire a Renaissance-style ornately carved wooden altar from 1636.
