Ortisei - Gardena Valley

Ortisei (BZ)

Gardena Valley - Trentino-Südtirol (Italy)

Ortisei (German St.Ulrich - Lad. Urtijëi) is a municipality in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano.
The name is attested as Ortiseit in 1288 and comes from the Latin urticetum (place of nettles). The German name Sankt Ulrich is documented from 1366 and is the Germanized version of the local patron saint St. Ulrich [1].
Ortisei is the main village of Val Gardena.
Its population is mostly native speakers of Ladin, as well as 7 other common
This town is from the valley to the slopes of Mount Rasciesa (2282 m) and is located on the right bank of the Rio Gardena (German Grödner Bach - Lad. Derjon or ruf de Gherdëina) that runs from east to west and ends at Bridge Gardena (Waidbruck) nell'Isarco (Eisack).
It is bordered on the east by Santa Cristina Val Gardena (St. Christina - St. crest), above mentioned Rio Gardena, south, on the left bank, is Oltretorrente (German Überwasser - lad.Sureghes), a fraction of the town of Ladin Castelrotto (Kastelruth - Ciastel) and west borders the territory of Laion.
Ortisei is reached by the Isarco Valley (Eisacktal) coming from Ponte Gardena (Waidbruck) on ss. 242 or (at the junction of 242) from Chiusa (Klausen), where is it the A22 motorway.
The local economy is mainly based on tourism and winter (to a lesser extent) summer. Known and of ancient traditions and crafts of wood carving.
The 1236 m s.l.m. the capital of the Val Gardena represent the altitude is ideal for winter and summer holidays. This town has old and solid mercantile tradition and rich history and features the airiness of its urban plan that blends harmoniously with the landscape. The center and its pedestrian only area is a place of encounter, ideal for shopping. From here you can walk through the woods in search of some old farm.
With a cable car you can reach the plateau Siusi (Seiser Alm - Mont Seuc), another with the Seceda. A lift leads to Rasciesa - Raschötz. Other lifts serve only ski slopes and are therefore closed during the summer. The cable car Alm is also renowned for the event Val Gardena Sky Dinner, an 'elegant gourmet dinner, served in individual booths, allowing approx. 120 guests to enjoy spectacular views along with gourmet creations.
A walk that covers the old railway line Chiusa-Val Gardena, connects the town with Santa Cristina Val Gardena (St. Christina - St. crest).