They fascinate at first sight, grandiose, austere, inimitable in the grace of their bizarre shapes, carved by wind, storms and by the primordial sea. They have always dominated the people's minds, arousing interest, enthusiasm, fear, inspiring numerous sagas and legends. No wonder, that in 2009 UNESCO chose them, the splendid Dolomites, as a World Natural Heritage site.

Here, in Alta Badia, the heart of this magic world still beats strong for those who are eager to listen. Nature and culture, past and present live here side by side, just like the modern mountain lifts and cutting-edge technologies that coexist harmoniously with the places that still remain untouched and perfectly virgin. Such as, for example, the huge nature parks Puez-Geisler (Puez-Odle) and Fanes-Sennes-Prags (Fanes-Senes-Braies), where it is not unusual to see marmots, hares, roe deer, chamois, deer, grouse and many other protected species of animals, birds and plants, which live undisturbed in their natural habitat protected by the towers of the Dolomites. Find out more about flora and fauna of the Dolomites at the Nature park house Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies in San Vigilio di Marebbe (Enneberg) and for geological aspects visit the Museum Ursus Ladinicus in San Cassiano (St. Kassian).

Another phenomenon, born, grown and preserved thanks to the dolomitic crests, is the extraordinary Ladin culture, originating from the fusion of customs and languages of the local Raeti and Noric population with those of the Romans and of the Austrians. A great opportunity to discover the Ladin culture is provided by various cultural events, including artisans' markets, processions, festivals, etc., organized in summer all over the Badia Valley. And whoever is curious to learn more, can visit the Ladin Museum Ciastel de Tor in San Martino (St. Martin in Thurn).