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An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
An Ampezzo
       Journey
Ben ruade cà in Anpezo
An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
"RA VAL
                                                 D'ANPEZO"
                                                 In chel dì che l’Signor t’à fato
                                                 ‘l ea dasén de gran bona luna,
                                                 ma ‘l à pensà de inze de El
                                                 “De cheštes in fejo solo una!”

                                                 E con l’eštro da gran artišta
                                                 ‘l à curà fora dute i materiai pì biei.
                                                 Saš, len, tera, aga, erba e fiore;
                                                 ci sà pó agnó che ‘l é şù ai toi.
                                                 [...]

                                                                               (Anonimo)
© bandion.it

                                                                           © 2016 CORTINA MARKETING Se.Am.
                                             Traduzione testi: LOGOS GROUP E CORTINA MARKETING Se.Am.
                                                  Design e grafica: GIANLUCA MAGRI @ BIT RUNNER STUDIO
                                        Si ringraziano: Flora Menardi, Michele Da Pozzo, Set In the Alps e quanti
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                                                               loro contributo per la realizzazione di questa guida   3
An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
SUMMARY

 6.    WELCOME TO CORTINA D'AMPEZZO                                                          94. HAVE FUN WITH
       BONDÌ E BEN RUADE CÀ IN ANPEZO                                                            OUTRO DA PODÉ FEI
 		      Welcome . Unesco . Best of the Alps                                                 		    Adrenalin center . Curling . Golf . Minigolf
                                                                                             		    Nordic walking . Olympic Ice Stadium . Tennis

 10.   PAST AND PRESENT
       DA NA OTA FIN ANCUOI                                                                  100 . SPRING & AUTUMN
 		       Once upon a time . Ancient crafts . Discover the village                                 D'AUŠUDA E D'OUTON
 		       Below the bell tower                                                               		       Low seasons

 32. MOUNTAIN WELLNESS                                                                       102. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
     INDUJIÀ A SE GODE RA CRODES                                                                  PIZE E GREI
 		     Eating . Drinking . Relaxing                                                         		      Summer . Winter . All year round

 46. SUMMER                                                                                  110. CURIOSITIES AND EVENTS
     IŠTADE                                                                                       NA FRÉ DE DUTO
 		     The Dolomites . Trekking . Do not miss . Via Ferrata . Rock Climbing                 		     On the set of Cortina d'Ampezzo . The red Squirrel
 		     Mountain Bike & E-Bike . Roadbike . Mountain running                                 		     Ampezzo legends . Rainy days . Event highlights
 		     Into the Pale Mountains . Mountain Farms

                                                                                             126.
 74.   WINTER                                                                                		       Getting around . Good to know . 7 nearby places of interest
       CANCHE 'LÉ GNEE                                                                       		       Belluno . Useful numbers
 		      Winter sports . Ski tours . Skipass . Snow Professionals
 		      Off piste . Nordic skiing . Other winter sports

                The chapter titles are written also in the local Ladino Ampezzano language              The chapter titles are written also in the local Ladino Ampezzano language
An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
WELCOME TO CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
    BEN RUADE CÀ IN ANPEZO

    Dear Guest,                                                                                       Dear Guest,
    Cortina d'Ampezzo has a long and                    the rich cultural calendar on offer in        Thank you for choosing to spend your              the great choice of accommodation,
    rich tradition as host to winter sports             Cortina, and you have a dream destina-        holiday in Cortina d'Ampezzo and                  makes Cortina d’Ampezzo one of Italy’s
    events. This charming alpine town,                  tion for both Italian and foreign visitors.   welcome to the magnificent Dolomites!             best loved holiday destinations. Alas,
    positioned in the heart of the UNESCO               In fact you, our visitors, are the real       Cortina has a 1000 year old history and           it is no coincidence that Cortina is the
    World Natural Heritage Dolomites,                   protagonists of all this, helping us to       a long tradition as a tourist destination.        only Italian member of the prestigious
    has a glorious history of international             continuously improve our hospitality,         The beauty of the Ampezzo Valley,                 association BEST OF THE ALPS, which
    competitions and looks to the future                while enjoying your holiday. With this        surrounded by the majestic peaks of               unites the 11 most exclusive and leg-
    with optimism, having been awarded                  guide we want to give you a tool to           the Tofane, Pomagagnon, Cristallo,                endary Alpine resorts in Europe.
    the 2021 Alpine Ski World Cup. This                 help you enjoy fully all that Cortina         Faloria, Becco di Mezzodi, Croda da               We hope this guide will help you get
    prestigious event will yet again make               has to offer. We hope you find it useful      Lago, and the Cinque Torri, to mention            to know and enjoy the many natural
    Cortina protagonist of winter sports.               in discovering the many delights of           but a few, attracts visitors from around          treasures of the territory, our culture
    Cortina is venue for international sports           Cortina and her surrounding moun-             the world at any time of year.                    and traditions, the excellent local
    events also in summer with a number of              tains. I extend my warmest welcome            The wealth of activities on offer, the            gastronomy and everything the town
    running races, tennis and golf events.              (Bon Azeto!) and a genuine thank you          number of major national and interna-             has to offer.
    Add the excellent gastronomy and                    for having chosen Cortina d’Ampezzo.          tional sport events, the special atmos-           We wish you a pleasant stay and
                                                                                                      phere of the town centre, the fabulous            we hope to welcome you to Cortina
                                                                                                      shops and excellent restaurants, and              d'Ampezzo soon again!

                                    Dr. Carlo De Rogatis                                                                           Gramarzè e sanin dapò!
                                   Special Commissioner                                                            Director of Cortina Marketing Se.Am. Gabriella Talamini

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UNESCO                                                                                                                        BEST OF THE ALPS

    On the 26th of June 2009, UNESCO                   splendid in their harmony, offers unri-                                    Cortina d’Ampezzo is the only Italian             heritage. Best of the Alps is a symbol
    declared the Dolomites a World Natural             valled and majestic views, softened                                        resort included in the prestigious                of a long hospitality tradition that has
    Heritage Area for their unique and                 by forest-covered ridges that gently                                       European association Best of The Alps,            paved the road for both winter and
    monumental beauty. Cortina d'Am-                   descend toward the valley. The unique                                      an international seal of quality uniting          summer mountain tourism. In each of
    pezzo, the Queen of the Dolomites,                 geo-morphological and geological                                           the 11 most famous and exclusive alpine           these 11 destinations the beauty of the
    is set like a jewel in the crown in the            properties of these mountains have                                         resorts appreciated for the quality of            landscape and the uniqueness of the
    midst of these magnificent peaks. The              also made contributions to the fields                                      their services and facilities, admired for        environment are perfectly combined
    natural architecture of the Dolomites,             of science and culture.                                                    their striking landscapes and respected           with the requirements of modern
                                                                                                                                  for their cultural, natural                                      tourism.
                                                                                                                                  and environmental

                                                                                                 © Paola Dandrea

                                                                                                                   © Pixcube.it

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An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
ONCE UPON A TIME
                                                                                                          The history of Cortina d’Ampezzo             the true capital of the Dolomites.
                                                                                                          is touched by legend and drama.              The now so famous pale mountains
                                                                                                          There are testimonies of ancient             were rather mysterious and unknown
                                                                                                          Roman settlements as well as traces          until the beginning of the 20th cen-
                                                                                                       of the Barbarians. The territory was            tury. One may wonder how it has
                                                                                                       originally a land of farmers, thanks to         been possible for Cortina d'Ampezzo
                                                                                                       its protected and safe location in the          to become Queen of the Dolomites
                                                                                                       Dolomite mountains. However it was              in such a short time, and sport has
                                                                                                       forestry and timber trade that drove            undoubtedly played a major role in her
© Giuseppe Ghedina

                                                          PAST AND                                     the economic development of Cortina
                                                                                                       d'Ampezzo.
                                                                                                                                                       rise to international fame.

                                                                                                                                                       The 1950s marked the beginning of

                                                          PRESENT                                      Thanks to Cortina’s strategic geograph-
                                                                                                       ical location on the national border, it
                                                                                                       played a key role in the communication
                                                                                                                                                       the golden era of the Ampezzo valley.
                                                                                                                                                       Hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics,
                                                                                                                                                       the first games broadcast live on
                                                                                                       between Venice and Innsbruck, first for         television, firmly established Cortina
                                                                                                       the Republic of Venice, and then lasting        d'Ampezzo as a prestigious location for
                                                                   DA NA OTA                           400 years, for the Austro-Hungarian             winter sports and a privileged stage
                                                                                                       Empire.                                         for La Dolce Vita.
                                                                   FIN ANCUOI
                                                                                                       Towards the mid-1800s the railway               Today Cortina d'Ampezzo is a much-
                                                                                                       arrived at Cortina's borders, bringing          loved international tourist destination
                                                                                                       the first wealthy Anglo-Saxon, German           and venue for many international sport
                                                                                                       and Russian travellers to discover              events, having hosted 25 editions
                                                                                                       her beautiful mountains. Thanks to              of the Women’s Alpine World Cup
                                                                                                       newspaper articles and guidebooks               numerous Nordic skiing events,
                                                                                                       written by these pioneering moun-               the Snowboard FIS World Cup, the
                                                                                                       taineers Cortina d'Ampezzo was soon             Freeride World Cup... as well as many
                                                                                                       known all over the world. Thus the first        other major events.
                                                                                                       hotels and tourist facilities opened,
                                                                                                       transforming Cortina d'Ampezzo into             The town has approximately 6,000

                     Once upon a time . Ancient crafts . Discover the village . Below the bell tower

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THE "REGOLE D'AMPEZZO"

                                                                                                         © Archivio storico Zardini
                                                                                                                                      The historical and cultural foundations          protect the territory in accordance with
                                                                                                                                      of the area, Le "Regole d’Ampezzo"               a collective vision. This system has for
                                                                                                                                      (the rules of Ampezzo), are an ancient           centuries enabled the conservation
                                                                                                                                      institution which continues to be a vital        of the local natural heritage. Today
                                                                                                                                      part of local life today. Designed to            the families descending from the
                                                                                                                                      regulate the relationship between man            Ampezzo genealogy continue to jointly
                                                                                                                                      and nature, Le Regole bring together             administer their undivided heritage of
                                                                                                                                      the descendants of the original families         pastures and forests, and by so doing,
                                                                                                                                      of the Ampezzo valley to govern and              preserving their original beauty.

     inhabitants, swelling to nearly 50,000               walls in the heart of the Dolomites, it is
     in high season. Its reputation as a world            today possible to visit the tunnels from
     class tourist destination is the result of           the war in Lagazuoi, experience first-
     a tenacious and conscious develop-                   hand the trenches and the positions
     ment with emphasis on preserving its                 in the 5 Torri, and enter the restored
     natural landscapes and pure air.                     fort of Valparola, all transformed into
                                                          the Museum of the Great War in the
     An important part of First World War                 Dolomites.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  © Archivio Cortina Turismo
     history was written on the mountains
     of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the areas of                In winter the Great War sites are acces-
     Lagazuoi, 5 Torri and Sass di Stria.                 sible to skiers thanks to the ski lifts, but
     These locations, the scene of tragic                 it is in summer that the full potential and
     battles between Italians and Austrians,              charm of the areas is realized, as the
     have been restored and transformed                   museums offer the perfect combination
     into testimonies of the Great War. The               of nature and history. Accessible on
     result of this major restoration project             foot or by bike, the sites of the First
     is a vast outdoor museum of the First                World War and the traces of history that
     World War, open for visitors all year                still remain, are there to be explored
     round. Along the hiking paths and the                and discovered along the many paths
     ski slopes, just moments away from                   and tracks that bind them together.
     the mountain refuges and climbing

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An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
TRADITIONS AS A WAY OF LIFE                                                                       AMPEZZO LADIN

     The traditions of the Ampezzo Valley                 as the cut, the rich colours, and the        Cortina d’Ampezzo has its own unique            object of study. The Ladin spoken in
     have their origins in a simple and                   jewellery in silver filigree that adorn      language, typical for the Dolomite              the Ampezzo area has evolved over
     essential way of life. The daily reality             the women's hair. The members of the         Ladin area, and behind this language            the centuries, but still maintains its par-
     of a mountain valley set in such a                   popular corpo musicale (musical band)        there is of course plenty of history.           ticular characteristics. Ampezzo words
     charming, yet severe landscape, has                  of Cortina d'Ampezzo still proudly wear      Thousands of years ago, the people              and expressions still used today often
     taught the local people the importance               the traditional Ampezzo dress when           of the Dolomite valleys and of the              appear in wills and judicial records from
     of collaboration and mutual support.                 they perform. During the last Sunday of      central and eastern Alps, spoke a               centuries past.
     The traditions and way of life of the                August one can admire the traditional        variety of more or less similar lan-            Minority languages in Italy are pro-
     Ampezzo people are very similar to                   costumes of all the nearby valleys as        guages, derived from the language               tected by law 482 of 1999. Currently,
     those of other Ladin and Tyrolean                    they gather for the popular “Ra fešta        of the Celtic and Raeti people. As              a project has been launched to obtain
     valleys, as they have a shared history               de ra Banda" a celebration of local          Imperial Rome expanded, the local               official recognition of the Ladin lan-
     that goes back hundreds of years.                    tradition and music. One of the most         populations gradually incorporated              guage as part of UNESCO's Intangible
     For every event of life, from birth to               magical events of the winter season          the Latin spoken by Roman guards and            Cultural Heritage. The Ladin flag
     marriage, there are rituals and customs              is the arrival of St. Nicholas and his       legionaries. The preceding language             appeared for the first time in 1920,
     handed down through generations,                     angels who, on the night of December         variants didn't entirely disappear, each        featuring the three dominant colours
     such as "šbarà fora", greeting of the                5th, arrive in Piazza Angelo Dibona, in      population retained numerous ancient            of nature in our valleys, namely the
     bride and groom on the eve of the                    Cortina d'Ampezzo, bringing gifts to         words, including various sound and              green of the forests and meadows,
     wedding; or "ra zarcogna", a gift to                 the good children. The scary -looking        syntax features still found in the Ladin        the white of snow and rock, and the
     the newborn. The traditions are often                "krampus" on the other hand, dressed         language today, making it a fascinating         blue of the sky.
     linked to religion. For example, every               up as devils, frighten the children who
     village has its own festival, with time              have been naughty during the year. On
     for prayer followed by a festive gath-               the Sunday of Carnival, a folkloristic
     ering "inze Stüa" enjoying a plate of                celebration takes place in town with
     "carafoi" (fried sweets with icing sugar).           theatrical performances on local life
     Important celebrations like Corpus                   in ladin language.
     Christi, First Communion, Confirmation               Other important local events include
     or Weddings see large gatherings of                  the Winter Palio, a traditional relay race
     people in traditional dress, namely the              on cross-country skis, and the Sagra
     Ampezzo costume that until the last                  d’Anpezo on the first Sunday of July,
     century was worn daily. The festive                  with games and challenges between
     version was distinguished from the                   the six Cortina d'Ampezzo townships.
     simpler work clothes by details such

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An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
THE AMPEZZO DOLOMITE NATURE PARK

     Established in 1990, the Natural Park                of the Regole, give rise to an unusually
     of the Ampezzo Dolomites covers an                   rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. This
     area of 11,500 hectares north of the                 biodiversity is enriched by a dozen
     centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo, toward                  endemic species exclusive to the
     the border between Veneto and Alto                   Dolomites, such as the Sempervivum
     Adige. Born with the consent of the                  Dolomiticum flower (see image pag.23),
     General Assembly of the Regole, the                  a symbol of the park.
     Park was contracted out by the Veneto                160 species of vertebrate animals live
     Region to the Ampezzo Regole “in                     in the park, including 31 species of
     virtue of the specific ancient form of               mammals, 113 species of birds and 16
     nature management with which they                    species of amphibians, reptiles and
     have protected the Ampezzo natural                   fish. Some animals are easy to spot,
     heritage for hundreds of years".                     such as marmots, roe deer, deer, ibex
     The protected area extends north                     (see image below), foxes, squirrels and
     toward the South Tyrolean park of                    eagles, as well as many small birds and
     Fanes, Senes and Braies, with which                  birds of prey. Other species are more
     it forms one of the largest naturalistic             difficult to come across as they hide
     areas in the heart of the Dolomites.                 in woods and in remote areas. These
     The protected area, which contains no                include the capercaillie, the ptarmigan,
     residential settlements or ski facilities,           various types of owls, and white hares
     includes the mountain ranges of the                  and rodents, such as the ermine and
     Tofana, Fanis, Col Bechei, Croda Rossa               the dormouse.
     d'Ampezzo and Cristallo, divided by                  The park also contains a wide variety
     the valleys of Travenanzes, Fanes, Alta              of plants with 68 species of trees and
     Valle del Boite and Felizon.                         shrubs, 32 species of ferns and horse-
     The park contains a wide variety of                  tails, and more than a thousand species
     natural habitats in water and peat bogs,             of flowers, including 35 species of
     prairies and high altitude forests - some            orchids. Tourists and botanical enthu-
     very ancient - and various types of                  siasts from around the world visit the
     rocky environments. The wide range                   Dolomites to admire the flowering of
     of habitats, together with the low-level             the Scarpetta Madonna (Cypripedium
     impact of forestry and pastoral areas                calceolus), one of the most beautiful
     which characterizes the management                   orchids in the European flora.

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                                                                                                       © Paola Dandrea
An Ampezzo Journey Ben ruade cà in Anpezo - Dolomiti.org
METALWORKS
     ANCIENT CRAFTS
                                                                                                                                                                Admire original creations in wrought
                                                                                                                                                                iron, brass, copper and steel. Objects
                                                                                                                                                                are shaped by combining iron with
       In the workshops and shops of                      copper and glass. Items range from                                                                    other materials such as wood, ceramics,
       Cortina d'Ampezzo artisan objects                  decorative objects for the home and                                                                   glass and fabric to create modern and
       testify to the genuine and original                traditional hand-made tiled ceramic                                                                   classic collections.
       artistic expression of the local                   stoves, to exquisite jewellery and
     craftsmen.                                           products made with alpine flowers
     In fact, the talents of the local artisans           like arnica, edelweiss and other local
     are highly valued and they are often                 plant varieties.
     called upon to practice their trade all              During your stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo
     over Italy and even abroad.                          we recommend that you take the time
     The range of local art and crafts prod-              to visit one of the artisan shops or      FILIGRANA

                                                                                                                                                                  © Manuela Conte
     ucts is rich and attractive, and includes            workshops. Perhaps you will find a
     decorative artistic wood workings, as                small souvenir to bring home to remind    Antique technique that used a silver
     well as objects made from iron, brass,               of your stay in the Ampezzo Valley.       thread to produce jewelry and items of
                                                                                                    exceptional quality.

                                                                                                                                                                WOOD
                                                          GLASS
                                                                                                                                                                Unique artefacts testify to the value

                                                                                                                                      © Giacomo Pompanin
      © Giacomo Pompanin

                                                          Glass crafts have evolved over the                                                                    of the hand-made, created by artisans
                                                          years with specializations in different                                                               of Cortina d'Ampezzo according
                                                          techniques. The Alverà glass workshop                                                                 to ancient woodworking methods
                                                          produces tableware, lamps, pictures                                                                   employing local raw materials and
                                                          and much more.                                                                                        techniques passed down through
                                                                                                                                                                generations.

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DISCOVER THE VILLAGE
                                                            TARKASHI
                                                                                                                  The past and present cultural                 today includes numerous art galleries,
                                                            Woodworking technique introduced                      vitality and variety of the Queen of          exhibitions and events, stimulating the
                                                            in Cortina d'Ampezzo around 1881 by                   the Dolomites is extraordinary, and           area and its visitors all year round.
                                                            John Coddington, on his return from
                                                            a trip to India.

                                                                                                                THE MARIO RIMOLDI MUSEUM OF
                                                                                                                MODERN ART

     FLOWERS                                                                                                    The Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art
                                                                                                                houses one of the largest private collections
     Flowers and plants are used by pro-                                                                        of 20th century Italian figurative art. In fact, it

                                                                                           © Giacomo Pompanin
     fessional florists to create delicately                                                                    is recognized by the Ministry of Heritage and
     coloured and perfumed compositions.                                                                        Culture as one of the most significant collec-
     In floral craft shops you'll find irresisti-                                                               tions of twentieth-century art in Italy. Artists
     ble artisan creations made with arnica,                                                                    represented include Campigli, De Chirico and
     edelweiss and other mountain plants                                                                        De Pisis, the latter with a strong bond to the
     generously provided by nature.                                                                             Queen of the Dolomites. The museum also
                                                                                                                hosts temporary exhibitions with paintings
                                                                                                                on loan from national and international art
                                                                                                                collections

                                                                                                                                                      THE RINALDO ZARDINI PALEONTOLOGI-
                                                                                                                                                      CAL MUSEUM
                                                            CARVED ANTLERS
      © bandion.it

                                                                                                                                                      The Rinaldo Zardini Paleontological Museum
                                                            Deer antlers are carved to create                                                         exhibits a significant collection of fossils, shells
                                                            decorative objects, furnishings and                                                       of marine invertebrates, corals and sponges
                                                            jewelry. Commonly used for producing                                                      from the Triassic period. The exhibits, all from
                                                            chandeliers in the local tradition.                                                       the Dolomites, were collected and categorized
                                                                                                                                                      by the Ampezzan researcher Rinaldo Zardini
                                                                                                                                                      and bear witness to the geological evolution
                                                                                                                                                      of the Ampezzo valley.

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THE REGOLE D’AMPEZZO ETHNOGRAPHIC                    THE AMPEZZO LADIN UNION
                                            MUSEUM
                                                                                                 L’Union de i Ladis de Anpezo (U.L.d’A.)         Dolomites, which brings together the
                                            The Ethnographic Museum houses a collection          is an organisation dedicated to pro-            different communities of the five ladino
                                            of antique tools, utensils and cultural artefacts    tecting and developing the language,            valleys in the Dolomites (Val Badia, Val
                                            typical for agriculture and forestry. From artis-    traditional dress, folklore, customs            di Fassa, Val Gardena, Fodom, d’Am-
                                            tic wrought iron workings and filigree silver        and cultural heritage of the Ampezzo            pezzo), with the aim of integrating the
                                            objects, to items made from precious wood            valley. Established in 1975, it is part         ladino world and its various aspects.
                                            inlaid with mother of pearl, and the fine metal      of the Union Generale di Ladins dla
                                            threads typical for the costumes of the past:
                                            they all bear witness to a patrimony of traditions   THE MARCHING BAND OF CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
                                            that has been preserved and handed down
                                            through the generations.                             The Cortina d’Ampezzo Corpo Musicale            composers, and sacred music such
                                                                                                 marching band was founded in 1861.              as Christmas carols. It performs in
                                                                                                 Its repertoire today includes marches,          concerts and parades both in Italy
     ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY                                                                    classical pieces, light music, film music,      and abroad.
                                                                                                 original compositions by contemporary
     The Helmut Ullrich Astronomical Observatory
     offers a great opportunity to observe stars,                                                THE CHOIR OF CORTINA
     planets and galaxies. It is located at an altitude
     of 1,780 m at the first arrival station of the                                              The Coro Cortina choir was founded in           ious settings including the Mozarteum
     Freccia nel Cielo cable car, where the sky is                                               1965, driven by the desire of a group           in Salzburg, the Conzertgebouw
     particularly clear and free from light pollution.                                           of friends and mountain-lovers to               in Amsterdam, the Haydnsaal in
     Guided visits and tours for an evening under                                                organise their songs in choral form.            Eisenstadt, the Stadthalle in Vienna
     the stars followed by dinner in the refuge are                                              Coro Cortina has won prizes in Italian          and Berlin, the Hall of the Cinquecento
     available on request.                                                                       and International competitions and              in Florence and the Sala dei Corazzieri
                                                                         © bandion.it
                                                                                                 given numerous concerts in prestig-             in the Quirinale Palace in Rome.

                                            NICOLÒ CUSANO PLANETARIUM

                                            The Niccolò Cusano Planetarium simulates the
                                            movements of the planets, the sun, and the
                                            moon in different time zones. It is also possible
                                            to simulate specific phenomenons (heclipses,
                                            etc.) and project films full-dome. Guided visits
                                            by reservation only. The planetarium is located
                                            near the Olympic Ice Stadium.
                                                                                                                                        © bandion.it

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EDEN CINEMA AND CONFERENCE HALL                                                                               BELOW THE BELL TOWER
     The Cinema-Teatro Eden screens the                   Alexander Girardi Hall is the setting                      Cortina d'Ampezzo has always                   for those who like to shop. Window
     latest Italian and international films but           for numerous important conferences,                        been at the cutting edge of trends             displays of the most prestigious and
     also plays host to important social,                 events and concerts.                                       and fashion. Since the 1950s, this             exclusive brands in the world, side
     cultural and community events. The                                                                              fashionable and fashion-conscious              by side with art galleries, famous
                                                                                                                     resort has been known for its knack            jewellers, antique shops and artisans’
                                                                                                                   of always being right on trend. One              workshops, offer a skilful blend of past,
     CULTURAL CALENDAR                                                                                             can pick up next season’s fashions               present and future, from works by old
                                                                                                                   just by strolling down Corso Italia, the         masters to the latest designer trends,
     Across the summer and winter seasons,                CortinaTerzoMillennio, various Events                    pulsating pedestrian street at the heart         for a shopping experience to suit all
     Cortina's cultural calendar offers more              and Exhibitions promoted by the                          of Cortina’s social life and the top spot        tastes.
     than 100 major events, embracing                     Municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo,
     literature, art, current affairs, history            the Classical Music Festival run by the
     and music. These include Calici di                   Dino Ciani Academy, Ikonos Art Gallery,
     Stelle (Wine event), Coro Cortina and                Museums of the Great War, Museums
     Cortina inCanta, The Cortina d’Ampezzo               of the Regole d’Ampezzo and Art in
     Corpo Musicale and the Band Festival,                August, ULd’A (Ampezzo Ladin Union)
     Cortina inCroda, Cortinametraggio short              and Una Montagna di Libri.
     film festival, Cortina Style-YouCortina,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                © bandion.it
                                                                                                    © bandion.it

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10 LUOGHI DA VEDERE

         THE OLYMPIC ICE STADIUM
     1
         Built in 1956 for the Olympic Games.

         CORSO ITALIA
     2
         Corso Italia pedestrian zone.

         CIASA DEI PUPE
     3
         Frescoes by the Ghedina brothers.

         OLD TOWN HALL
     4   Decorated with the shields of the ancient Ampezzo families belonging to the
         Regole.

         BASILICA MINORE
     5   Constructed between 1769 and 1775, and dedicated to the saints Filippo and
         Giacomo.

         THE BELL TOWER
         In the town centre, 65,8m tall and constructed between 1851 and 1858, with
     6
         Dolomia stone.

         LA CONCHIGLIA
     7   Outdoor stage in Piazza Angelo Dibona in the town centre where many major
         events take place, including folkloristic events with the local musical band.

         CIASA DE RA REGOLES
     8
         Home to the Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art.

         CHIESA DI SAN FRANCESCO E CASA CORAZZA
         The church contains an 18th century wooden altar and a fresco from the 14th
     9
         century.

         CHIESA DELLA MADONNA DELLA DIFESA
 10
         Founded in the 15th century and rebuilt in 1743.

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FRESCOS ON THE CIASA DEI PUPE                                                            THE SESTIERI

A fine series of 19th century frescos          daily life, and the four life stages of   The Municipality of Cortina d'Ampezzo           challenge each other in various sport
on the walls of the building that now          man: Childhood (children on snow          is made up of six areas or townships -          events, arousing intense local passion.
houses the International Pharmacy.             sleds), Adolescence (courting couple),    Sestieri - each representing their local        Each sestiere has its own ornate little
On the northern façade, the figure of          Maturity (father holding child) and Old   community and particularly active in            church, the main ones being Santa
Leonardo da Vinci, and to the east             Age (old man sitting near a stove). The   organising folkloristic events. The             Giuliana in Alverà, Sant’Andrea in Col,
the painters Raphael, Dűrer and                four rose windows depict Michelangelo,    six Sestieri are Alverà, Azzon, Cadin,          Madonna della Salute in Cadin di Sotto,
Titian, along with allegorical figures         Dante, Goethe and Shakespeare. The        Chiave, Cortina and Zuel.                       Sant’Antonio da Padova in Chiave and
representing Art and Science (from                 white panel appears to have been      In the months of July and August,               San Rocco in Zuel di Sopra.
right to left: Music, Progress,                           intended by the brothers       each sestiere organises its own week            In addition to these churches and
Art and Commerce).                                           who painted the frescos     of rural festivities with music, typical        the Lesser Basilica, the Church of
The south wall shows                                           as a challenge to rival   gastronomic specialities. Volunteers            San Francesco and the Church of
scenes of Ampezzo                                               artists.                 from the sestieri work hard to make             the Madonna della Difesa, Cortina
                                                                                         their sestiere's festivities the best of all!   d'Ampezzo boasts 12 other churches,
                                                                                         In both summer and winter the sestieri          all worthy of a visit.

                                     © Paola Dandrea

THE HOUSE OF TIME

At the beginning of Via Della Difesa           the nickname of the Dibettos, a family
(ex Via Regia), you can admire one of          from the area who once produced
Cortina's most unusual buildings. The          armour, then became blacksmiths
yellow house with a large clock on the         and finally clock-makers. You can
wall, tells the time but also reveals the      make out a curious feature on the
profession of its original owners;                 main balcony: it finishes with a

                                                                                                                                                                                   © Dino Colli
clock-makers who used this                              small wooden hand pointing
building as their work-                                    a finger in the direction
shop for repairing and                                       of the nearby Church
building wall-clocks.                                          of San Francesco...
The words "Corazza                                             or perhaps the local
Ampezzo" on the                                                 cemetery a little
main façade refer to                                            further on.

                                     © Paola Dandrea
FIGURES FROM THE PAST WHO LOOM LARGE IN THE CENTRE                                      FAMOUS AMPEZZO CITIZENS
                                                                                             Freely adapted from "Guide to Unusual trades, secrets, legends and curiosities of the Dolomites” by Dino Dibona
     MASSIMILIANO I D’ASBURGO (1459-1519)

     King of Germany, Archduke of Austria and                                                LEOPOLDO DE ZANNA (1721 - 1787)
     Holy Roman Emperor. An erudite and poetic
     sovereign, he was an outstanding diplomat. In                                           An Augustinian in the monastery of                          to become one of the most important
     1511 he conquered Ampezzo and other Dolomite                                            Neustift, de Zanna founded what was                         libraries in the Tyrol.
     valleys, uniting them all under a single flag. His
     bust stands in the centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo,                                         BARTOLOMEO GILARDONI (1729 - 1803)
     in Corso Italia.
                                                                                             Blacksmith, watchmaker and precision                        rifle (sciòpo wind) and the first military
                                                                                             engineer, Gilardoni invented the air                        repeating rifle in the world.
                                          DEODAT DE DOLOMIEU (1750-1801)
                                                                                             MATTIA FRANCESCHI (1789 - 1844)
                                          French geologist and mineralogist, tireless
                                          traveller and scientist. His research led him to   Consecrated priest who becomes confes-
                                          climb several mountains in the Alps. In 1729,      sor of the Queen of Saxony in Dresden.
                                          he collected and scientifically studied rock
                                          samples from these mountains... unaware that       SILVESTRO FRANCESCHI (1792 - 1870)
                                          one day they would be named after him. Ten
                                          minutes' walk from the city centre, near the       Entrepreneur, designer, and developer,                      and the Stedandorf bridge near Innsbruck.
                                          Ice Stadium, Dolomieu's bust contemplates          Franceschi constructed, among his many                      His name is also linked to the construction
                                          the Dolomites. A new panoramic trail from the      works, the road from Lienz to Monguelfo                     of the bell tower of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
                                          peak of Mount Faloria down to the Rio Gere
                                          area has been named after him (see page 64).
                                                                                             ANGELO DIBONA (1879 - 1956)
     ALBERTO I RE DEL BELGIO (1875-1934)

                                                                                                                                                                                                               Foto pag.30 / 31: © Paola Dandrea
                                                                                             Alpine guide, ski instructor and military instructor
     An energetic and fearless sovereign with a                                              of Austria's mountains troops in the Great War,
     lasting passion for the Dolomites and especially                                        fighting on the Tofana Massif. He was one of the
     for Cortina d'Ampezzo: he discovered the city                                           greatest mountain guides and mountaineers in
     in 1907, and it became his favourite holiday                                            the Dolomites, with over 70 first ascents over the
     destination. His bust stands in a small garden                                          Alps. At the foot of the Tofana di Rozes, a refuge
     in front of the Alexander Hall, a few minutes’                                          is named after him, and at the centre of Cortina
     walk from the centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo.                                              d'Ampezzo, a bronze bust pays homage to this
                                                                                             legendary climber.

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PLEASURES OF THE PALATE

                                                                         A border territory, Cortina's local            entered the local cuisine. From the
                                                                         kitchen is influenced by both the              Venetian tradition, dishes of polenta
                                                                         Veneto and the Tyrolean regions                served in combination with cheese,
                                                                         The traditional dishes of the area,            mushrooms, sausage or goulash.
                                                                       and much more, can be savoured in                Main courses are usually meat-based,
                                                                       the many restaurants, pizzerias, cafes,          consisting frequently of typical local
                                                                       bars, mountain refuges and mountain              products like speck and strongly
                                                                       farms which unite the atmosphere and             flavoured game dishes like deer, roe

                                                       MOUNTAIN
© bandion.it

                                                                       the panoramas of the Dolomites with              deer and wild boar. Cured or seasoned
                                                                       the local food traditions.                       pork dishes feature frequently on the
                                                                       Cortina d’Ampezzo is a paradise for              menu, such as pork shank and pota-

                                                       WELLNESS        food lovers and gourmands, with
                                                                       numerous excellent restaurants, a
                                                                       discerning clientele, and several
                                                                                                                        toes Ampezzo-style, or sausage with
                                                                                                                        polenta.For those with a sweet tooth
                                                                                                                        there is of course the apple strudel and
                                                                       award-winning chefs able to satisfy              Sacher cake. Other local treats that
                                                                       even the most demanding palates.                 simply must be tried include wonderful
                                                        INDUJIÀ A SE   The most famous and typical Ampezzan             tarts filled with berries, ice-cream
                                                                       dish is casunziei, half-moon shaped              with hot raspberries, and pancake/
                                                      GODE RA CRODES   pasta dumplings that are red if stuffed          omelettes made with flour and egg
                                                                       with beetroot, or green if stuffed with          batter and served with cranberry jam.
                                                                       spinach or with sciopetis, a local wild          Nighele are local deep fried sweets,
                                                                       herb. From Tyrol, Cortina d'Ampezzo              served with a dusting of icing sugar,
                                                                       inherited the tradition of canederli, and        poppy seeds and honey.
                                                                       even spaetzle, or gnocchi, have fully

               Pleasure of the palate . Peaks of pampering

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MOUNTAIN FLAVOURS                                                                                                                                         SPÄTZLE

                                                                                                                                  © Irene Mursia
                                                                                                                                                                                    Small green wheat flour gnocchi with spinach,
                                                                                                                                                                                    served either with speck and cream or with
                                                                                                                                                                                    gorgonzola.
                                                                PUCCIA
     © Giacomo Pompanin

                                                                A typical local bread prepared with a blend of
                                                                rye and wheat flours, and perfumed with aro-
                                                                matic herbs (usually cumin and fennel seeds).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    © Giacomo Pompanin
                                                                It comes in two versions, either as a soft loaf,                                   BARLEY SOUP
                                                                or dry and crispy.
                                                                                                                                                   A minestrone made with pearled barley, chopped
                                                                                                                                                   vegetables and smoked meat.

                          CASUNZIEI

                                                                                                                   © bandion.it
                          Ravioli in a crescent moon shape, red when                                                                                                               GOULASH SOUP
                          filled with beetroot - a strictly local variety - or
                          green when made with spinach or with the wild                                                                                                            Inspired by the famous Hungarian recipe based
                          herbs that abound in the springtime meadows.                                                                                                             on beef, spices and potatoes.

                                                                CANEDERLI

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    © Giacomo Pompanin
     © bandion.it

                                                                Gnocchi of dry bread filled with cured speck                                       AMPEZZO POTATOES
                                                                meat, spinach or cheese, and served in broth
                                                                or with melted butter and grana cheese.                                            Stir-fried with abundant onion and intensely
                                                                                                                                                   flavoured local cured speck.

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© Giacomo Pompanin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                © Irene Mursia
                                                           RASPBERRIES AND ICE CREAM                                                FARTAIES

                                                           Hot raspberries with vanilla ice cream.                                  Spiral-shaped fritters sprinkled with icing sugar
                                                                                                                                    and served with cranberry or blackcurrant jam.

                                                                                                                                                                       KAISERSCHMARRN

                                                                                                               © Giacomo Pompanin
                          BUCKWHEAT CAKE                                                                                                                               Literally meaning ‘the Emperor's omelette’,
                                                                                                                                                                       this is essentially a thick crepe, cut into pieces,
                          A cake with a rustic taste, sweetened by the                                                                                                 sprinkled with icing sugar and served with
                          presence of cranberry jam.                                                                                                                   cranberry or blackcurrant jam.

                                                                                                                                    WINES FROM THE REGION
                                                           APPLE STRUDEL
                                                                                                                                    Cortina d’Ampezzo is blessed by her             aperitifs. The Pieve region offer a great
     © bandion.it

                                                           Chopped apple, raisins and pine nuts, perfumed                           proximity to the Piave valley to the            variety of white and red winessuch as
                                                           with cloves and cinnamon and wrapped in flaky                            south and the Isarco valley to the east,        cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot
                                                           pastry. Served hot with a sprinkle of icing sugar                        both producers of great wines. As               grigio and pinot nero. On the South
                                                           and a dash of vanilla sauce, cream or ice cream.                         for the wines from the Veneto region,           Tyrol side we find great classics such
                                                                                                                                    the prosecco is a real national pride           as Gewürztraminer, Muller-Thurgau,
                                                                                                                                    and a key ingredient in most local              Kerner, Sylvaner, Riesling and Lagrein.

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TWO (EASY) RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME

     BLUEBERRY CAKE                                                                                   PORCINI MUSHROOM AND POTATO SOUP

     This is an easy to make, authentic                  home, after a brisk mountain walk            Throughout the summer, the woods                July to September, but also lend
     Dolomite mountain dessert.                          gathering blueberries in the woods           in the Dolomites offer plentiful wild           themselves to drying. In this form you
     You won't usually find it served in cafés           during July and August.                      porcini mushrooms, much in demand               can find them in food shops all year
     or restaurants, so it's best made at                                                             by mushroom hunters and adored by               round. This mushroom and potato
                                                                                                      gourmets. These strongly flavoured              soup is absolutely delicious and easy
     INGREDIENTS                                                                                      mushrooms can be eaten fresh from               to prepare - a guaranteed success!
     • 500 g fresh woodland blueberries
     • 300 g white flour                                                                              INGREDIENTS FOR 4 PEOPLE
     • 80 g butter                                                                                    • 600 g of floury high-starch potatoes
     • 60 g sugar                                                                                     • 1 litre of meat or vegetable broth
     • 50 g icing sugar                                                                                 (roughly 1 stock cube, or 2 spoonfuls of powdered stock in a litre of water)
     • 3 eggs                                                                                         • 100 g fresh porcini mushrooms or 50 g dried porcini*
     • ¼ litre milk                                                                                   • 50 g butter
     • 1 sachet of baking powder                                                                      • 1 onion
     • 1 pinch of salt                                                                                • a sprinkle of chopped chives
                                                                                                      • 2 garlic cloves
     PREPARATION                                                                                      *supermarkets and delicatessens in Cortina d'Ampezzo usually sell stock cubes
     Separate the yolks from the egg-                    blueberries. Place in a well-heated             or powdered stock, and also dried porcini mushrooms
     whites. Beat the sugar with the egg                 oven, and then lower the heat to a
     yolk. Add the flour, the baking powder,             medium temperature. Cooking time:            PREPARATION
     the milk and salt. Finally, add the                 40 minutes.                                  Melt the butter in a large casserole            and left to soak in a bowl of hot (not
     beaten egg-whites. Grease a baking                  Before serving, sprinkle the surface         on low heat. Add the thinly sliced              boiling) water for one hour.
     tin, pour in the mix, leaving it roughly            with icing sugar.                            potatoes, the sliced onion, and the             When adding the mushrooms to the
     2 cm below the rim, and then add the                                                             crushed garlic. Stir-fry continuously           broth, you can also add part of the
                                                                                                      for roughly 3 minutes.                          water they were soaked in, to add extra
                                                                                                      Add the broth, bring to boil, lower             flavour.
                                                                                                      the heat, and leave to simmer for 20            Increase the heat and cook for a further
                                                                                                      minutes.                                        10 minutes.
                                                                                                      At this point add the mushrooms, sliced
                                                                                                      according to choice. If you don't have          Serve the soup with a sprinkle of finely
                                                                                                      fresh porcini, you can use the dried            chopped fresh chives and - if desired -
                                                                                                      version, previously rinsed in cold water        some bread croutons.

                                    Liberamente tratto da “La cucina delle Dolomiti” di Dino Dibona                                 Liberamente tratto da “La cucina delle Dolomiti” di Dino Dibona

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POPULAR DRINKS                                                                        AFTER DINNER

Cortina d'Ampezzo offers restaurants,      in town as well as on the mountain.        GRAPPA
wine-bars, pubs and cafes to suit all      An aperitivo before dinner is a well-es-   A spirit with roughly 40° alcohol, distilled from wine marc. There are countless
tastes. From trendy wine-bars and          tablished tradition in Cortina d'Am-       variants of grappa, from the purest to varieties with fruit or herb aromas.
gourmet restaurants to mountain            pezzo. Nobody misses this opportunity
farms and traditional refuges, visitors    to relax with friends at the end of the    SGROPPINO
to Cortina d'Ampezzo are spoilt for        day over a drink, accompanied by some      A fruit-flavoured sorbet (usually lemon or tangerine) blended with prosecco.
choice. From sunrise to sunset, break-     mouth-watering local delicacy.
fast to dinner, the options are endless,                                              ON THE SLOPES

                                                                                      HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CREAM

                                                                                      BOMBARDINO
                                                                                      A warming drink based on cream, hot eggnog, brandy and coffee (recipes vary
                                                                                      according to local areas).

                                                                                                                                                                         © Gary Toriello
PROSECCO
White sparkling wine normally drunk as an aperitif.

SPRITZ
Aperitif with dry white wine, Aperol and soda water.

BICICLETTA
A low alcohol content aperitif for two people, with prosecco and gingerino            Restaurants generally observe the following opening hours:
(served for three, it becomes a Tricycle instead of a Bicycle).                       lunch 12.00 - 14.00 / dinner 19.00 - 22.00

HUGO                                                                                  Tasting events and show-cooking are available on request. For up to date info
Prosecco and elderberry syrup, with mint leaves.                                      on events, please see www.cortinadolomiti.eu.
PEAKS OF PAMPERING                                                                                                 TOP 5 WELLNESS TIPS

       Cortina d’Ampezzo offers unique                  their holiday to fitness and wellness,                          THE OUTDOOR HOT TUB AT SCOIATTOLI REFUGE (7,300 FT / 2,225 M)
       wellness experiences that allow                  can take a relaxing soak in a wood-
       guests to immerse themselves in a                fired outdoor hot tub, or enjoy a sooth-                        A large open air, wood-fired hot tub for    majestic panorama of the 5 Torri
       world of silence, and enjoy the charm            ing sauna at 2,800m altitude, after an                          6 people, for relaxing soaks sipping        (consult the services guide).
     and magic of the seasons away from                 invigorating hike. Immerse yourself                             a glass of bubbly while enjoying the
     the hectic pace of the city.                       in the breathtaking landscapes of the
     Apart from Spa and Wellness facilities             Dolomite peaks and enjoy the many                               SAUNA AT THE CRODA DA LAGO REFUGE (7,299 FT / 2,066 M)
     in the town centre hotels, the mountain            exceptional wellness experiences that
     refuges offer unique experiences at                can be enjoyed in the Queen of the                              Set in a magical location by Lake Federa,   very hot stones (consult the services
     altitude. Those looking to dedicate                Dolomites, in both summer and winter.                           this Finnish Barrel Sauna soothes your      guide Agnò domandà).
                                                                                                                        muscles thanks to the spell of fire and

                                                                                                                        THE HIGHEST SAUNA IN THE DOLOMITES (9,028 FT / 2,752 M)

                                                                                                                        The Lagazuoi Refuge is famous the world     a few hours of deep relaxation in a
                                                                                                                        over for its view of the great Dolomite     Finnish Sauna - the perfect mix for an
                                                                                                                        peaks. The ultimate panorama plus           unforgettable experience (consult the
                                                                                                                        the opportunity to spoil yourself with      services guide).

                                                                                                                        STARLIGHT ROOM (6,742 FT / 2,055 M)

                                                                                                   © Giacomo Pompanin
                                                                                                                        20 kilometres from Cortina d'Ampezzo,       magic of the night sky surrounded by
                                                                                                                        you can spend the night beneath a           the peaks of Lagazuoi, Tofana di Rozes
                                                                                                                        ceiling of stars in the Starlight Room      and Sas de Stria. By reservation only
                                                                                                                        Dolomites in Col Gallina. Experience the    (consult the services guide).

                                                                                                                        SUNRISE FROM THE SUMMIT OF TOFANA DI MEZZO

                                                                                                                        In both summer and winter, the              This truly unique experience is some-
                                                                                                                        Freccia nel Cielo cable car, takes          thing you should do at least once
                                                                                                                        you up to the summit of the Tofana di       during your stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
                                                                                                                        Mezzo at dawn to watch the sunrise.

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MOUNTAIN REFUGES

The mountain refuges originally served        tubs or saunas, offering their guests
as overnight shelters for passing moun-       the opportunity to pamper themselves
taineers and excursionists, sometimes         at altitude.
even offering catering services. Over         Staying overnight in a refuge to experi-
the years, with the development of            ence the famous Dolomite Enrosadira
tourism, the refuges have become              colouring the rock pink at dawn and
comfortable establishments, some              sunset is an absolute must!.
even offering hotel comforts.
                                              During the summer season, the
The refuges in Cortina d'Ampezzo have         refuges are ideal pit stops for lunch
retained their warm and welcoming             or a snack after a hike. During winter
atmosphere and offer their guests deli-       the refuges offer places to rest and
cious home-made cooking according             refuel for skiers, ski mountainers
to local tradition. Some refuges are          and snowshoe excursionists. Many
easily accessible, others can only be         refuges can be reached on foot also
reached on foot or with skis, but the         in winter, such as Lago D’Ajal, Malga
effort of arriving is always rewarded         Federa, Croda da Lago, Dibona (open
with magnificent views and a great            weekends), Malga Ra Stua and Mietres.
deal of satisfaction. Many refuges can        Some refuges offer traditional dinners
be reached by jeep service from the           followed by descents by sled, skis,
centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo.                  or by snowmobile under the stars, by
Some refuges have added fea-                         reservation.
tures, such as outdoor hot

                                 © Alessandro Ghinato

                                                                                         © bandion.it
THE DOLOMITES

                                                                                                           The Dolomites are named after                give the landscape an incomparable
                                                                                                           French naturalist Déodat de                  beauty.
                                                                                                           Dolomieu who, in the second half             Cortina d'Ampezzo, whose moun-
                                                                                                           of the eighteenth century, was the           tains are completely inserted in the
                                                                                                           first to study the particular type of        UNESCO area and under protection
                                                                                                        rock predominant in this region. The            of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo
                                                                                                        unique mix of minerals present in the           Dolomites, is the perfect place to wan-
                                                                                                        rock gives the mountains a special              der and discover this uniquely beautiful
                                                                                                        light shade, which is why they are also         world of immense vertical walls, spires
© bandion.it

                                                                                                        called the pale mountains. However,             and pinnacles, green valleys, high
                                                                                                        at sunset and sunrise the Dolomites             mountain pastures, forests, streams,

                                                               SUMMER                                   are set ablaze by the rays of the sun
                                                                                                        in a spectacle of colours ranging from
                                                                                                        pink to fiery red. This is the effect of
                                                                                                                                                        beautiful lakes, canyons and waterfalls.
                                                                                                                                                        Professional mountain guides are avail-
                                                                                                                                                        able for adults and children, individuals
                                                                                                        the famous Enrosadira, or Alpenglow             and groups, to help visitors get to know
                                                                                                        phenomenon. Two hundred and fifty               the Dolomites, the stories, and the flora
                                                                    IŠTADE                              million years ago, these mountains              and fauna that live here. Climbing and
                                                                                                        were a mass of shells, corals and algae,        Via Ferratas, walking and trekking, rock
                                                                                                        submerged in tropical seas. Emerging            climbing and orienteering are just a few
                                                                                                        70 million years ago, and eroded by             of the outdoor options offered by the
                                                                                                        time and weather, today they represent          mountain guides.
                                                                                                        a magnificent geological treasure and

               The Dolomites . Trekking . Do not miss . Via Ferrata . Rock Climbing . Mountain Bike &
               E-Bike . Roadbike . Mountain running . Into the Pale Mountains . Mountain Farms

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MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS

ALPINE GUIDES                                                                                   TREKKING
These highly trained professionals                 of all activities connected with the
have the duty of guiding excursionists             mountains, including emergency
and climbers along paths and mountain              procedures.                                     The vast number of routes available at           and overnight facilities for longer treks
routes, using their expert knowledge                                                               every level of difficulty makes Cortina          lasting several days. There are many
                                                                                                   d'Ampezzo the ideal destination for              beautiful peaks that are guaranteed
NATURE GUIDES                                                                                      every type of hiker. Families with               to satisfy the ambitions of even expert
                                                                                                   children and those seeking relaxing              hikers, including 6 peaks over 3,000 m
A professional specialized in accom-               fauna of the area, as well as its cultural   walks in peaceful surroundings will find            (Tofana di Mezzo, Tofana Third, Tofana di
panying visitors to explore the natural            and historic features.                       plenty of shaded, relatively flat push-             Rozes, Cristallo, Sorapìs and Croda Rossa
landscapes, and the specific flora and                                                          chair-friendly walks in forests or along the        d'Ampezzo). Comfortable lift facilities
                                                                                                river, whereas experienced hikers have              offer easy access to high altitude areas
HIKING GUIDES                                                                                   a rich choice of more challenging high              with extraordinary views, such as the
                                                                                                altitude hiking routes. The many moun-              peak of Tofana di Mezzo, Lagazuoi,
This professional profile is authorised            carry out environmental education            tain huts are popular destinations for              Faloria and 5 Torri.
to guide individuals or groups on hiking           activities to promote and protect the        hikers. The huts offer local gastronomy
terrain with no altitude limits, and to            local environmental heritage.

                                                                                                                                                                                                © Alfredo Croce
                            © giuseppeghedina.com

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THEMED HIKES                                                                                    DOLOMIEU TRAIL

     Cortina d'Ampezzo boasts over 400                   abilities of most excursionists, but we     This trail, dedicated to the discoverer of        and continues down through a forest
     km of signposted trails, maintained                 strongly advise you to check the trails     dolomite rock, was inaugurated in 2015.           of larch, stone pines and firs until it
     and cared for by volunteers from the                on detailed maps and consult Alpine         It presents no technical difficulties             reaches Rio Gere. From here you can
     local section of the Italian Alpine Club            or Nature guides for more information       and offers a wonderful descent from               continue the descent on C.A.I. path n.
     (CAI). The great number and variety                 on your chosen route. The following         Mount Faloria, which you can reach                206 as far as the intermediary station in
     of routes satisfy the preferences and               routes are suitable for most hikers.        comfortably by cable car, departing               Mandres. There you can either take the
                                                                                                     from the station in the centre. Offering          cable car down to the station car park
                                                                                                     magnificent views, this walk can be               or continue on foot down C.A.I. path
                                                                                                     done in c. 1 hour and 40 minutes. It              n. 204 to Mietres, and then on path n.
                                                                                                     follows the ridge of the Faloria Crepe            211 to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

     THE OUTDOOR GREAT WAR MUSEUM                                                                    THE CHAMOIS TRAIL

     In the area between Mount Lagazuoi                  major restoration project. Do not miss      Take the chairlift that climbs from Piè           broadly and comfortably, supported
     and the 5 Torri, one finds trenches, tun-           the Mine Tunnels on Mount Lagazuoi,         Tofana to the start of this itinerary, and        by wooden logs. Shifting closer to
     nels, defensive positions and walkways              the Historic Trail in the 5 Torri and the   then explore the gentle descent known             the rock face, the path then joins the
     used by both sides in the mountain                  Goiginger Tunnel on the Sas de Stria.       for its frequent chamois sightings.               Forcella Rossa piste and crosses the
     warfare waged between the Italian and               The experience can be completed by          The trail zigzags down the upper                  route descending towards Piè Tofana.
     Austrian armies. These sites can now                a visit to the Tre Sassi Fort Museum.       section of the Tofana Ravine, curving
     be visited in total safety, thanks to a

     COL DRUSCIÈ ASTRO RING

                                                                                                                                                                                                   © Paolo Tassi
     The Astro ring, an educational astro-               Trail of the Planets" and "The Trail of
     nomic itinerary created near the the                the Universe" as they wind through the
     astronomic observatory, offers superb               woods. The length of the ring is roughly
     views and a chance to explore dimen-                1.5 km, with an altitude difference of c.
     sions beyond the mountain. Reaching                 70 m. It can be comfortably walked in
     Col Drusciè on the "Freccia nel Cielo"              less than 1 hour.
     Tofane cable car, visitors can walk "The

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THE CANYONS AND WATERFALLS TRAIL

     DO NOT MISS                                                                                                                       The area formed by the canyons and             equipped detours which require nor-
                                                                                                                                       waterfalls of the Rio Fanes and Rio            mal via ferrata equipment. The starting
                                                                                                                                       Travenanzes is uniquely spectacular.           point is Pian de Loa, at the entrance
                                                                                                                                       You can explore this area simply by            of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo
     LAKE SORAPÌS                                                                                                                      walking the easy path, but it is even          Dolomites. From here you follow the
                                                                                                                                       more thrilling to approach and pass            signs and take the path to the highest
     Thanks to the magical colours of its               on C.A.I. path n. 215 in roughly 2 hours                                       behind the waterfalls using brief              part of the upper waterfall.
     waters and the gigantic amphitheatre               walk from Passo Tre Croci. The route
     of mountains surrounding it, this lake             has several short exposed sections
     is certainly one of the most stunningly            with metal cables provided for safety.
     beautiful in the Alps. You can reach it

                                                                                                                     © Alfredo Croce
                                                                                                                                       THE SUMMIT OF TOFANA DI MEZZO

                                                                                                                                       You can reach the summit of the high-          Freccia del Cielo cable car. Once you
                                                                                                                                       est mountain in Cortina d'Ampezzo, at          have reached the peak, you will be
                                                                                                                                       10,643 ft (3244 m), in a few minutes’          overwhelmed by the panorama, the
                                                                                                                                       walk from the arrival station of the           vast horizon and the thin air.

                                                                                                                                       THE CRODA DA LAGO TOUR

                                                                                                                                       A circular excursion around one of             trek takes a day, offers marvellous
                                                                                                                                       the most suggestive peaks in Cortina           views and needs a reasonable degree
                                                                                                                                       d'Ampezzo, offering a sequence of              of fitness. The route begins from Ru
                                                                                                   © Paola Dandrea

                                                                                                                                       contrasting landscapes, including the          Curto, on the road towards Passo
                                                                                                                                       high alpine meadows of Mondeval,               Giau. In summer you can also reach
                                                                                                                                       site of a Mesolithic burial ground,            Lake Federa using a jeep service from
                                                                                                                                       two gullies at over 7,200 ft (2,200 m),        Campo.
                                                                                                                                       Lake Federa and dense forests. This

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THE SOURCE OF THE RIVER BOITE

     An enchanting walk from Ra Stua to                   bends of the murmuring stream near                              VIE FERRATE
     Campo Croce, origin of the Boite River               its source make this area irresistibly
     which crosses the Ampezzo Valley,                    delightful for all ages. Situated inside
     a perfect outing for families with                   the Ampezzo Dolomites Park, you can                               Via Ferrata are equipped routes, pre-          tate passage in difficult points involv-
     children. Grazing animals, green mead-               get there during summer by taking the                             pared with metal cables, ladders or            ing exposed vertical rock faces, for
     ows, flowers, marmots and the gentle                 shuttle service from Fiames.                                      steps, and other fixed features such           example, and are designed to reduce
                                                                                                                            as wooden walkways and suspended               personal risk for average trekkers.
                                                                                                                          bridges. These man-made aids facili-             Via Ferrata equipment is required.

                                                                                                                          EQUIPMENT

                                                                                                                          In addition to the equipment recom-              The dissipater serves to cushion poten-
                                                                                                                          mended for any type of mountain                  tial falls, reducing the risk of injury.
                                                                                                                          trekking (suitable clothing, robust              You can rent ferrata kits in any sports
                                                                                                                          footwear, backpack, first aid kit, food          equipment shop in Cortina d'Ampezzo
                                                                                                                          and drink), to ensure your safety when           (find contacts in the services guide).
                                                                                                                          moving along a Via Ferrata route you             You may sometimes also need an
                                                                                                                          need some further special equipment.             ice-axe and crampons, depending on
                                                                                                                          This consists of a protective helmet,            place and season, or a headlamp if
                                                                                                                          a body harness, ferrata gloves and a             you are planning to enter some of the

                                                                                                      © Filippo Menardi
                                                                                                                          ferrata set. The Ferrata set consists of         numerous tunnels excavated during
                                                                                                                          two ropes, carabiners and a dissipater.          World War I.

                                                                                                                          LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

     ALTA VIA NR. 1                                                                                                       The difficulty of a given ferrata depends        Via ferrata routes follow parts of the
                                                                                                                          on the sheerness of the rock face and            itineraries used by troops in World
     Alta Via number 1 is a trekking route that           in the area, those nearest Cortina d'Am-                        the amount of holds and supports.                War I to approach the front. One of
     passes through the area around Cortina               pezzo being Croda del Becco, Croda del                          Even a simple route can easily become            these, among the most famous, is
     d'Ampezzo. It was the first signposted               Valùn Blanch, Lagazuoi and Nuvolau.                             extremely difficult and dangerous in             the Ivano Dibona equipped route in
     route in the Dolomites to require several            The route features numerous Refuges                             icy or snowy conditions. A sudden                the Cristallo massif. There are many
     days walking. Covering a total distance              for overnight stays. Any of the 12 stages                       change in weather can create serious             different itineraries around Cortina
     of 125 km, it is subdivided into 12 stages           can be chosen on its own for a one-day                          problems for trekkers. The length of             d’Ampezzo, the easiest - such as the
     that run from Lago di Braies to Belluno,             trek, or combined with others, according                        the route can also influence the degree          Giovanni Barbara ferrata at the Fanes
     taking in the most important mountains               to your particular requirements.                                of difficulty of a ferrata. We advise            waterfall - are suitable for children, if
                                                                                                                          excursionists to tackle via ferratas in          accompanied by an Alpine Guide or
                                                                                                                          the company of a mountain guide (see             expert trekkers.
                                                                                                                          the services guide). Many of today's

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FERRATA                                AREA                   DIFF.   THE FIRST VIA FERRATA
                 Ferrata Averau                           Averau
                Galleria Lagazuoi                        Lagazuoi                        The first Via Ferrata in Cortina d'Am-   fixed them on the vertical rock face
                                                                                         pezzo was created in 1905, through       to create a quicker and more direct
               Ferrata Ra Gusela                         Nuvolau
                                                                                         the ingenuity of Luigi Gilarduzzi        route to the Cantore Refuge (today
            Ferrata Grotta di Tofana                      Tofane                         “Meneghel”. A blacksmith by profes-      Rifugio Giussani). The ferrata is still
           Sentiero attrezzato Astaldi                    Tofane                         sion, and manager of the former Wolf-    known as "La Scala del Meneghel" (or
     Sentiero attrezzato giro del Castelletto             Tofane                         Glanvell Refuge in Val Travenanzes,      Meneghel's Ladder).
                                                                                         he forged nearly 270 pitons and
           Sentiero attrezzato Olivieri                   Tofane
      Ferrata Barbara e cascate di Fanes                Val di Fanes
             Ferrata Renato De Pol                       Cristallo
                Ferrata Veronesi                           Fanis
             Ferrata via della pace                        Fanis
         Ferrata Strobel - Punta Fiames                 Pomagagnon
              Ferrata Terza Cengia                      Pomagagnon
               Ferrata Formenton                          Tofane
                Ferrata Ra Bujela                         Tofane
           Ferrata Scala del Minighel                     Tofane
               Ferrata degli alpini                     Col dei Bos
              Ferrata Ivano Dibona                       Cristallo
             Ferrata Marino Bianchi                      Cristallo
        Ferrata Berti - Cengia del Banco                  Sorapìs
                Ferrata Vandelli                          Sorapìs
        Ferrata variante Tofana di Mezzo                  Tofane
                 Ferrata Lipella                          Tofane
             Ferrata Ettore Bovero                       Col Rosà
          Ferrata Olivieri - Punta Anna                   Tofane
              Ferrata Gianni Aglio                        Tofane
               Ferrata Sci Club 18                        Faloria
                Ferrata Tomaselli                          Fanis

               EASY    MEDIUM      MEDIUM DIFFICULT       DIFFICULT    VERY DIFFICULT
                                                                                                                                                    © Archivio Cortina Turismo

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