Val GardenaHistory
Hotels Val Gardena
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The year 1600 marks the beginning of the Val Gardena school of wood carving, based on even
older traditions in Val d’Isarco and Val Pusteria. Originally the emphasis was on religious works and
children’s toys, and it is only recently that wood carving has become more of an industry, with more
profane themes and decorative items, including abstract works and also souvenirs. But the skills of
the local craftsmen – guaranteed by the "Hand carved" label – are as outstanding today as ever they
were.
Soon after 1860 came the first tentative stirrings of what quickly became a key sector in Val
Gardena – tourism.
At first mainly adventurers and nature-lovers, naturalists and mountaineers wanted to explore the
Dolomites. Then came increasing numbers of summer holidaymakers, followed in turn by winter
sports enthusiasts keen to take advantage of the growing number of facilities. In 1908 the first ski
club (Ladinia) was founded in Val Gardena, and the first ski race was organized in the same year
(from Passo Gardena down the steep Dantercëpies Valley to Selva).
In 1970 Val Gardena hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships and consolidated its reputation
as one of the world’s leading winter sports region.
The social and economic upswing of the last forty years has generated very real benefits for the local
population. Whereas people were often forced to leave the valley to find work in earlier times, they
now have little difficulty in earning a living there. Business activity in the valley also produces
considerable sums of money for investment in the field of environmental protection. Much has already
been done in this respect (Val Gardena Eco-Centre), but a lot still remains to be done.
At Val Gardena, there is tourist accommodation available in hotels, farm holiday, farmhouse, residence self-catering accommodation, mountain chalets, b&b, rooms for rent, holiday homes, camp sites and tourist villages.
Restaurants Typical Products
Val Gardena History
