Tour description
Which traces are we following on this route?
Ortisei has a history of settlement going back to 1000 A.D., but this takes on a special dynamic after the 19th century and the construction of the first road through the valley. It was initially the global success of the wood carving and toy industries that brought economic boom to Ortisei and changed the face of the village profoundly with a newly-built church and schoolhouse, warehouses, workshops and villas belonging to artists and businesspeople. A second developmental spurt brought hiking, winter sports and tourism, which did not only have an influence on the village, but also caused a sustained change in its societal and cultural environment still happening today.
What awaits us?
The circular tour on the traces of history from Ortisei is around 600 metres long, completely barrier-free and may be easily undertaken by those with reduced mobility. There is a difference in altitude of 40 metres and it involves around 20 minutes' walk.
Where does the tour go?
We start at the Val Gardena railway monument and the sculpture of Santa Barbara in Via Stazione and head for the monument to Johann Baptist Purger, builder of the first road through the valley, near the village centre. From here, the way goes along Annabach stream to Palazzo Bugon, which was once the seat of a successful wooden toy company.
Crossing Pana bridge, we arrive at church square with the parish church and Chapel to the Fallen. We carry on to Palazzo Pana, which lies at the heart of the medieval part of the village, and go past the cultural centre built for the Ski World Cup in 1970 in the pedestrian precinct. Stetteneckplatz square marks a further historical location in the village centre. This is the former site of Hof Ortiseit farm, which gave Ortisei its Ladin name. You will find the old school house going around Postplatz square, as well as three traditional guesthouses: Hotel Adler, Hotel Post-Cavallino Bianco and Hotel Stetteneck.
The way back leads past listed Ianon-Palazzo and over Purger bridge to the former packing house and back to the start in Via Stazione.