Val Gardena is part of the
Dolomites in the province of
South Tyrol
It stretches from
Ponte Gardena to the Sella and the Gardena Passes and
is part of the linguistic area of the Ladin people, also called
Rhaeto-Roman people. The actual
Val Gardena valley starts in Pontives
where the valley opens up. Further up the valley are the villages of
Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva.
Val Gardena is surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape: the
Odle, Puez, Sella and Sassolungo groups.
Val Gardena is known worldwide as a tourist area: whether for skiing,
snowboarding or cross-country skiing in winter or for mountain climbing,
hiking or cycling in summer.
Here it is easy to combine nature with
leisure and to spend relaxing days.
Val Gardena is famous for its
traditions and much visited for its
woodcarvings.
Crib figures,
sacred as well as
profane , are offered in many souvenir shops and
specialized woodcarving workshops from Ortisei to Selva. Nowadays wooden
gifts are much in demand and appeal to young and old alike.