A treasure is hidden in Corso Italia, on the ground floor of the Cassa Rurale ed Artigiana: the fresco of the Sibyls dating back to the first half of the 15th century, rediscovered by chance at the end of the 19th century during a restoration.
It represents five female figures, with a mystery. The first is said to represent the Valuensis Sibyl, the second the Nicaulian or Tiburtine Sibyl, the third the Portuensis or Libyan Sibyl, the fourth the Erythraean Sibyl, while the identity of the fifth, who wears a peculiar crown and unlike her companions turns her gaze outwards, remains an enigma.
A wonderful painted house along Corso Italia, once an annex of Gaetano Ghedina Tomàš’s Aquila Nera hotel. His sons Luigi, Giuseppe and Angelo, instead of following in their father’s footsteps, devoted themselves to painting and left the community this small, colourful jewel in the heart of Cortina.
On its walls, the faces of some great characters: Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Dürer, Titian, Michelangelo, Dante, Goethe, Shakespeare and – surprise – Ghedina Tomàš himself. Also featured are figures of the Arts and Sciences, the four ages of man and scenes of life in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
A white panel catches our attention: a challenge launched by the Ghedina brothers to anyone who wanted to compete with their talent.
A wonderful painted house along Corso Italia, once an annex of Gaetano Ghedina Tomàš’s Aquila Nera hotel. His sons Luigi, Giuseppe and Angelo, instead of following in their father’s footsteps, devoted themselves to painting and left the community this small, colourful jewel in the heart of Cortina.
On its walls, the faces of some great characters: Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Dürer, Titian, Michelangelo, Dante, Goethe, Shakespeare and – surprise – Ghedina Tomàš himself. Also featured are figures of the Arts and Sciences, the four ages of man and scenes of life in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
A white panel catches our attention: a challenge launched by the Ghedina brothers to anyone who wanted to compete with their talent.
Built at the behest of the nobleman Gianmaria De Zanna towards the end of the seventeenth century, it is similar to a small fortress. Its construction was blocked in 1696, because it did not conform to the principles of Ampezzo construction. Burnt down and bombed by the French in 1809, today only the two towers, part of the surrounding wall and the church dedicated to the Trinity remain.
Built at the behest of the nobleman Gianmaria De Zanna towards the end of the seventeenth century, it is similar to a small fortress. Its construction was blocked in 1696, because it did not conform to the principles of Ampezzo construction. Burnt down and bombed by the French in 1809, today only the two towers, part of the surrounding wall and the church dedicated to the Trinity remain.
From the centre of Cortina, proceeding along the SS 51 of Germany and then taking a short hike on path 201, you arrive at the site where the Botestàgno (or Potestagno) Castle once stood. In winter it can also be reached with a snowshoe hike, by contacting the Alpine Guides.
Of the majestic building only a few remains are left today, but beyond its historical value, it is worth a visit for the beauty of the panorama: let your gaze wander over the Ampezzo valley along the course of the Boite taking in the curves of the meadows and the profiles of the Dolomites.
According to scholars, the origin of the castle dates back to between the 9th and 12th centuries. Over time it had various owners: the Patriarch of Aquileia, the Republic of San Marco, Maximilian of Habsburg and, finally, the people of Ampezzo. Today the territory is part of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites.
From the centre of Cortina, proceeding along the SS 51 of Germany and then taking a short hike on path 201, you arrive at the site where the Botestàgno (or Potestagno) Castle once stood. In winter it can also be reached with a snowshoe hike, by contacting the Alpine Guides.
Of the majestic building only a few remains are left today, but beyond its historical value, it is worth a visit for the beauty of the panorama: let your gaze wander over the Ampezzo valley along the course of the Boite taking in the curves of the meadows and the profiles of the Dolomites.
According to scholars, the origin of the castle dates back to between the 9th and 12th centuries. Over time it had various owners: the Patriarch of Aquileia, the Republic of San Marco, Maximilian of Habsburg and, finally, the people of Ampezzo. Today the territory is part of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites.
Along the simple path that leads to the Fanes Waterfalls stands the High Bridge over the Rio Travenanzes.
It is said that at the beginning of the 15th century, the knight Brack, famous for his heroic deeds, lived in the Marebbe valley. He often went to Cortina to visit his fiancée who lived in the Botestàgno Castle, arousing the antipathy of the people of Ampezzo and the owners of the pastures he crossed on horseback. They decided to tamper with the bridge he crossed to reach his beloved woman, but Brack, noticing the trap, spurred his steed which, with an incredible leap, overcame the obstacle.
Today, from the bridge you can observe the impressive canyon formed by the Travenanzes and Fanes streams, as well as the image of the grandiose undertaking reproduced in a painting that, in the 1930s, was located nearby to commemorate this story suspended between legend and reality.
Along the simple path that leads to the Fanes Waterfalls stands the High Bridge over the Rio Travenanzes.
It is said that at the beginning of the 15th century, the knight Brack, famous for his heroic deeds, lived in the Marebbe valley. He often went to Cortina to visit his fiancée who lived in the Botestàgno Castle, arousing the antipathy of the people of Ampezzo and the owners of the pastures he crossed on horseback. They decided to tamper with the bridge he crossed to reach his beloved woman, but Brack, noticing the trap, spurred his steed which, with an incredible leap, overcame the obstacle.
Today, from the bridge you can observe the impressive canyon formed by the Travenanzes and Fanes streams, as well as the image of the grandiose undertaking reproduced in a painting that, in the 1930s, was located nearby to commemorate this story suspended between legend and reality.
In the centre, in Via della Difesa, you come across one of the most characteristic buildings in Cortina: Casa Corazza. Outside, a large clock marks the hours and recalls the profession of its original owners: here, in fact, there was a workshop for repairing and building wall clocks.
The writing “Corazza Ampezzo”, which still appears on the wall today, refers to the nickname of the “Dibetto”, a family of Ampezzo natives who specialised first in forging armour, then as blacksmiths and finally as watchmakers. The balcony of the house ends with a small wooden hand: does it indicate the nearby church of Saint Francis or the more distant cemetery? The interpretation is up to you.
In the centre, in Via della Difesa, you come across one of the most characteristic buildings in Cortina: Casa Corazza. Outside, a large clock marks the hours and recalls the profession of its original owners: here, in fact, there was a workshop for repairing and building wall clocks.
The writing “Corazza Ampezzo”, which still appears on the wall today, refers to the nickname of the “Dibetto”, a family of Ampezzo natives who specialised first in forging armour, then as blacksmiths and finally as watchmakers. The balcony of the house ends with a small wooden hand: does it indicate the nearby church of Saint Francis or the more distant cemetery? The interpretation is up to you.
At Col Druscié, at 1,778 m above sea level, the Observatory managed by the Cortina Astronomical Association hosts a 40 cm diameter Ritchey-Chretien telescope and a 28 cm Schmidt Cassegrain for visual observation of the deep sky, planets, the Moon and the Sun and for imaging galaxies in search of supernovae, thanks to the very low light pollution of this privileged location. The Observatory can be reached by the Freccia nel Cielo cable car in the summer and winter seasons or with a short walk from Pié Tofana along the Sentiero dei Pianeti and the Sentiero dell’Universo.
At Col Druscié, at 1,778 m above sea level, the Observatory managed by the Cortina Astronomical Association hosts a 40 cm diameter Ritchey-Chretien telescope and a 28 cm Schmidt Cassegrain for visual observation of the deep sky, planets, the Moon and the Sun and for imaging galaxies in search of supernovae, thanks to the very low light pollution of this privileged location. The Observatory can be reached by the Freccia nel Cielo cable car in the summer and winter seasons or with a short walk from Pié Tofana along the Sentiero dei Pianeti and the Sentiero dell’Universo.
In the museum named after the Ampezzo researcher Rinaldo Zardini, one of the richest existing collections of precious Triassic fossils found in the Cortina area narrates the extraordinary adventure of life in the tropical seas from which the Dolomites were born. Megalodons, shells of marine invertebrates, corals, sponges and fossils of countless organisms are remnants of a distant era when this area was underwater.
The story of the geological evolution of the Ampezzo valley is also enriched by a section dedicated to botany.
In the museum named after the Ampezzo researcher Rinaldo Zardini, one of the richest existing collections of precious Triassic fossils found in the Cortina area narrates the extraordinary adventure of life in the tropical seas from which the Dolomites were born. Megalodons, shells of marine invertebrates, corals, sponges and fossils of countless organisms are remnants of a distant era when this area was underwater.
The story of the geological evolution of the Ampezzo valley is also enriched by a section dedicated to botany.
One of the most important collections of modern art in Italy, with paintings and sculptures by the major exponents of the Italian twentieth century collected by Mario Rimoldi over various decades starting from 1923.
Worth mentioning are 54 paintings by Filippo de Pisis, 32 works by Mario Sironi, 11 by De Chirico and 6 by Campigli. Other artists include: Carrà, Cesetti, Depero, Guidi, Guttuso, Martini, Morandi, Music, Rosai, Sassu, Savinio, Semeghini, Severini, Soffici, Tomea, Tosi, Vedova and many others. The Museum exhibits on rotation the numerous works of the collection, but also paintings from other museums, international exhibitions and temporary shows.
One of the most important collections of modern art in Italy, with paintings and sculptures by the major exponents of the Italian twentieth century collected by Mario Rimoldi over various decades starting from 1923.
Worth mentioning are 54 paintings by Filippo de Pisis, 32 works by Mario Sironi, 11 by De Chirico and 6 by Campigli. Other artists include: Carrà, Cesetti, Depero, Guidi, Guttuso, Martini, Morandi, Music, Rosai, Sassu, Savinio, Semeghini, Severini, Soffici, Tomea, Tosi, Vedova and many others. The Museum exhibits on rotation the numerous works of the collection, but also paintings from other museums, international exhibitions and temporary shows.
Discover the habits and customs of Cortina, a cultural heritage preserved together with the memory of its origins, in a collection that retraces the history and tradition of the place, from peasant life to domestic life, from religious sentiment to the artistic expression of the Ampezzo Valley.
Here you can admire everyday objects, ancient costumes of the Ampezzo tradition, a faithful miniature of the typical local home and valuable local artistic works in wrought iron, filigree, inlaid wood and ebony.
Discover the habits and customs of Cortina, a cultural heritage preserved together with the memory of its origins, in a collection that retraces the history and tradition of the place, from peasant life to domestic life, from religious sentiment to the artistic expression of the Ampezzo Valley.
Here you can admire everyday objects, ancient costumes of the Ampezzo tradition, a faithful miniature of the typical local home and valuable local artistic works in wrought iron, filigree, inlaid wood and ebony.
Reachable in just 3 minutes with the Lagazuoi cable car, at 2,723 m above sea level, 264 m² dedicated to every form of art and culture of the Dolomites. A unique exhibition and conference centre, consisting of 4 rooms, one of which is equipped for groups of up to 50 people, ideal for hosting events, demonstrations, meetings and corporate incentives.
Reachable in just 3 minutes with the Lagazuoi cable car, at 2,723 m above sea level, 264 m² dedicated to every form of art and culture of the Dolomites. A unique exhibition and conference centre, consisting of 4 rooms, one of which is equipped for groups of up to 50 people, ideal for hosting events, demonstrations, meetings and corporate incentives.
The permanent exhibition celebrates Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo, the Alpine Guides of Cortina and the Scoiattoli Group: the unique combination of those who created the Freccia nel Cielo, the peaks that host it and the people of Ampezzo. Mountaineering has obviously evolved over the years, but the Cortina Alpine Guides born with Grohmann have remained among the strongest in the world.
The Dolomites have always been a sought-after terrain for conquest given their vertical ruggedness and alternating chimneys, terraces, scree slopes and peaks. The mountaineer who has climbed them can truly say that he has gone through hardships to reach the stars: hence Per aspera ad astra. The exhibition, on the upper floor of Cima Tofana, can be reached from Cortina with a spectacular journey by a gondola lift and two cable cars.
The permanent exhibition celebrates Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo, the Alpine Guides of Cortina and the Scoiattoli Group: the unique combination of those who created the Freccia nel Cielo, the peaks that host it and the people of Ampezzo. Mountaineering has obviously evolved over the years, but the Cortina Alpine Guides born with Grohmann have remained among the strongest in the world.
The Dolomites have always been a sought-after terrain for conquest given their vertical ruggedness and alternating chimneys, terraces, scree slopes and peaks. The mountaineer who has climbed them can truly say that he has gone through hardships to reach the stars: hence Per aspera ad astra. The exhibition, on the upper floor of Cima Tofana, can be reached from Cortina with a spectacular journey by a gondola lift and two cable cars.
Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo, at the mountain station of the Pian Ra Valles-Bus Tofana chairlift, hosts the innovative Rescue Permafrost research project. It arises from the awareness that climate change represents a threat to mountain ecosystems and to mountaineers themselves.
It aims to prevent or at least slow down the melting process of permafrost.
It represents a concrete example of how human wit and technological innovation can contribute to mitigating the negative effects caused by global warming in the Alpine areas. The dedicated route, guided by 12 informative educational panels, can be covered on foot with a panoramic hike of about 50 minutes from Ra Valles.
Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo, at the mountain station of the Pian Ra Valles-Bus Tofana chairlift, hosts the innovative Rescue Permafrost research project. It arises from the awareness that climate change represents a threat to mountain ecosystems and to mountaineers themselves.
It aims to prevent or at least slow down the melting process of permafrost.
It represents a concrete example of how human wit and technological innovation can contribute to mitigating the negative effects caused by global warming in the Alpine areas. The dedicated route, guided by 12 informative educational panels, can be covered on foot with a panoramic hike of about 50 minutes from Ra Valles.
An ancient story, which tells of the disputes between the people of San Vito and Cortina over pastures and lands on Passo Giau, a stunning area, sheltered from the cold north winds, where streams and meadows abound, a true paradise for herds and shepherds.
An ancient story, which tells of the disputes between the people of San Vito and Cortina over pastures and lands on Passo Giau, a stunning area, sheltered from the cold north winds, where streams and meadows abound, a true paradise for herds and shepherds.
It seems that the first people to graze their cattle up there were the people of San Vito, who arrived via the Ambrizzola and Giau passes. In the 1331 document a notary established that the Giau basin belonged to San Vito di Cadore. The disputes became more intense until 1752 when it was established that the people of San Vito could continue to enjoy their ancient rights, provided they built at their own expense a wall designed to prevent their livestock from encroaching on the Ampezzo meadows, which was to extend in length for approximately 2 km, 6 feet high, 5 feet wide at the base, 2 feet wide at the top, with the works to be completed within 90 days.
The entire population committed themselves fully to the undertaking and managed to complete the Giau Wall within the established time frame, which was felt to be indispensable for future generations. The cost of the work was over 13,000 gold lire, equivalent to 6,800 cows at the time.
In summer or autumn it is really interesting to look for the boundary stones and tombstones that mark this line of demarcation, with crosses, lions of St. Mark and Habsburg shields. These remains are still present at the base of the Torre Luisa, a small Dolomite pinnacle that rises on the eastern side of Ra Gusela, at the Becco della Muraglia di Giau, near the asphalt road and on the northern slopes of the Lastoi de Formin, above the Ciou de ra Maza lake.
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