Museums and permanent exhibitions in Ortisei

Museum Val Gardena

The Museum Val Gardena (Ladin: Museum de Gherdeina), at the Cesa di Ladins posesses a substantial collection of Gröden wood carvings from the 17th to the 20th century, old Gröden wooden toys, fossiles and minerals from the Dolomites.

The museum is also well known for the heritage of the Gröden film producer, mountaineer and architect Luis Trenker.

Exhibition ART52

The Kulturhaus houses the ART52-model exhibition of the Val Gardena handicraft, where wood carvings of 52 artists from Val Gardena are being exhibited.

Opening hours: daily from 9 am. to 10 p.m., free entrance!

Churches in Ortisei

Parish Church of St. Ulrich

The Parish Church of St. Ulrich dates back to the late baroque and has been extended by two side aisles at the beginning of this century. Inside the building is decorated with numerous pictures, statues and figures. Noteworthy are also the church pews, which are decorated with beautiful carvings.

St. Anna Chapel

St. Anna Chapel at the churchyard of Ortisei was built around the beginning of the 15th century.and enlarged around 1515. The small plain church has a portal well-worth seeing and some old gravestones and memorial tablets.

Antonius Church

At the main square of the village is the Antonius Church, with its pretty ridge turret it is a popular photo motive. Noteworthy is the altarpiece of the church’s patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua.

St. Jacob’s Church

The Church of St. Jacob lies above Ortisei and can be reached by foot. It is the oldest church of the valley and dedicated to Saint Jacob. Picturesquely situated, it features in the choir a beautiful fresco cycle and sculptures at the baroque high altar.

Parish Church of Pufels

Also worth a visit is the Parish Church of Pufels, dating back to the 13th century, with its beautiful Romanic structure, of further interest is the high altar, dating back to the 18th century.

Monuments in Ortisei

Luis Trenker memorial

The Luis Trenker memorial, situated at the promenade with the same name, next to the old locomotive, reminds one of a world famous son of Val Gardena, the multi talent, “Bera Luis”.

Purger memorial

The Purger memorial, immediately next to the Kirchplatz, reminds one of John Baptist Purger (1805-1872). Mayor Purger speeded up the Val Gardena road construction from Waidbruck to Ortisei, despite many difficulties and hostilities.