Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor

A strong sense of language shapes the identity of the Ladin people in the Dolomites, specifically in the Val Badia and Val Gardena in South Tyrol, in the Val di Fassa in the Trentino, and in Livinallongo del Col di Lana and in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Province of Belluno. Their language isn't just a means of self-affirmation but also a powerful link connecting these valley communities.

Even today, the people there speak Ladin, a Rhaeto-Romance language. The Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor is dedicated to this unique culture and language of South Tyrol. The museum opened in 2001 in Badia Castle, or Ćiastel de Tor, a castle whose history dates back to 1230. Since then, it has offered insights into the history, culture, legends, and crafts of the Ladin people.

The museum focuses primarily on the Ladin language and the traditions of the Ladin area. Exhibits also include Stone Age finds from the valley, as well as displays on geology, tourism, economic history, toys, and local crafts. In 2021, the Museum Ladin celebrated its 20th anniversary and simultaneously opened a new section on literature and schooling in the Ladin valleys. Part of the Provincial Museums of South Tyrol, the museum has a branch location: the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus in San Cassiano, dedicated to the cave bear of the Conturines mountains.

How to get there: The Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor is accessible from San Martino in Badia in the Val Badia valley via a small road leading up to the castle where parking is available. The bus stop is about a five-minute walk away. Unfortunately, animals are not permitted in the museum.