Ciastel de Tor rises proudly with the Ladin Museum in San Martino in Badia, one of the five municipalities in the Ladin Val Badia valley
Ladin is the third national language in South Tyrol alongside German and Italian, but it is only spoken in a few municipalities in the heart of the Dolomites: This is where the Ladin Cultural Institute comes in, which was opened in San Martino in Badia to promote the Ladin language and culture. The spacious municipality lies in the front part of the Val Badia, just after the still predominantly German-speaking San Lorenzo di Sebato. Then the beautiful valley slowly merges into the rear part, which is known as Alta Badia far beyond the borders.
The local mountain of the municipality is the mighty Sasso Putia, the ascent of which - if you are experienced in mountaineering - should be at the top of your list of holiday experiences. Down in the valley the Ćiastel de Tor towers over San Martino and is home to the Ladin Museum. The castle tells in an interesting tour about the language and traditions of the Ladin region, but also about prehistory, the economy and handicrafts. The three other districts are spread out on the surrounding slopes, including Piccolino, Antermoia and Longiarù at more than 1,500 m a.s.l. It is known for the pristine Mill Valley with its functioning Longiarù Mills along the Rio Seres.
In the beauty of the Puez-Odle Nature Park and the traditional hamlets on the slopes of the Val Badia, it is great to hike and enjoy nature. Feet get tired on the circular trail to the Viles or on a hike to the Passo delle Erbe, but the clear mountain air and the fresh summer days have an revitalising effect. In winter, it's off to the slopes: With the Piculin Cable Car in Piccolino, the municipality offers a connection to Mt. Plan de Corones, and a second skiing area - that of Alta Badia with the legendary Sella Ronda - can be reached by shuttle service. In the village itself there is a luge track and the more leisurely Börz sledge run near Antermoia, as well as some cross-country ski tracks facing Mt. Sass de Putia, which reach all the way up to the legendary Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch).
