Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus

The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus is dedicated to the cave bear of the same name. The exhibition is a branch of the Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor, located at Badia Castle in San Martino in Badia, 18 kilometres away. In the autumn of 1987, Willy Costamoling from Corvara made a significant discovery below the Cunturines Peak, at an altitude of almost 2,800 metres: In a cave, he stumbled upon numerous bones of a cave bear from the interglacial period (approx. 40,000 years ago).

In the following years, a team from the University of Vienna, led by Professor Gernot Rabeder, systematically explored this grotto. The result was remarkable: They had discovered a previously unknown species. Named after its discovery location in this Ladin valley, the bear species was christened "Ursus ladinicus". Bones of a cave lion were also found in the cave. What's more, due to its high altitude, it is probably the highest site worldwide where cave bear and cave lion remains have been discovered. The bear was subsequently honoured with its own three-floor exhibition.

The basement presents the Cunturines Cave with a detailed replica of the cave bear. The ground floor houses the ticket office and the shop. The upper floor focuses on the geological history of the Dolomites. Here, you can marvel at the most important fossils from the surrounding area. There's a good reason for combining the Dolomites and the cave bear in one museum: The discovered bones provide crucial clues about the prehistoric climate in the Dolomites.

How to get there: The museum is located in the village centre of San Cassiano. There's a car park right next door. The Alta Badia bus route 465 runs between La Villa and San Cassiano.