San Vigilio di Marebbe

An authentic holiday, immersed in the nature of a fairytale landscape

There are places that lead you with grace and elegance to rediscover the beauty of nature, in its simplicity and grandeur. Places where you learn to listen to silences, the sounds of the landscape, ancient traditions and authentic experiences, those that remain indelible in the memory well after the end of the journey.

One of these is San Vigilio di Marebbe, in the heart of one of the most authentic areas of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, where the mountain is not only landscape, but also identity, language and memory. Alongside the scenic power of the peaks, woods and plateaus, you can discover the Ladin culture, a living heritage that can be found everywhere: in hospitality, in cuisine, in traditions and in the very sound of the characteristic words. Here the holiday thus becomes an experience that goes beyond the natural beauty of an Intangible Heritage, to be enjoyed not only in summer and winter but also in spring and autumn. 

Once you arrive in San Vigilio, you immediately notice how well preserved the soul of a typical alpine village is, despite being a lively and welcoming tourist resort. Around the main center are the small hamlets of Pieve di Marebbe, the oldest nucleus of the territory, Longega, a historic stop for Travellers and traders, and Rina, a small secluded area that maintains its identity. The village of San Vigilio is located on the sunny side of the Kronplatz, one of the most famous ski areas in South Tyrol, and is surrounded by the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park.

The territory also includes the village of San Martino in Badia which adds another dimension to the journey. An ancient jurisdictional seat, it is known for the Ciastel de Tor and for the Ladin Cultural Institute "Micurá de Rü", a reference point for the protection and dissemination of Ladin culture. Its hamlets tell different landscapes and stories: Piccolino, with its stately historic residences; Longiarü, recognized as a "mountaineers' village"; Antermoia, in a suggestive position towards the Passo delle Erbe. While the village of San Martino is part of the Puez-Odle Nature Park, one of the most spectacular Dolomite scenery in South Tyrol.

San Vigilio and San Martino are, in fact, located in a privileged position, between two natural parks and in the context of the Dolomites, one of the most unspoiled areas where attention to the environment and responsible management of the territory offer a more conscious and sustainable tourism. The two municipalities, together, offer over 650 km of hiking trails, 600 mountain bike routes and six countries certified according to the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) sustainability standards.

The municipality of Marebbe, and therefore San Vigilio, is included in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, which with its 25,453 hectares is the second largest nature park in South Tyrol. A large part of the area of San Martino in Badia belongs to the Puez-Odle Nature Park. In its approximately 9,400 hectares, at an average altitude close to 2,500 meters, you will encounter rocky amphitheaters, cavities, pinnacles and erosive forms shaped by time. Places such as the Col dala Soné on the Gardenaccia plateau and the Col de Puez hold remains from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, which are unique in the Dolomites.

Ideal for a long stay but also a city break, San Vigilio di Marebbe can be visited easily on foot, walking in its welcoming and cozy center around the Parish Church of San Vigilio which preserves the historic layout of a building of Gothic origin, then transformed between 1781 and 1782 according to the Rococo taste on a project by the German architect Franz Singer of Götzens. Inside it houses frescoes by Matthäus Günther, while the bell tower, dated 1512, remains of the original Gothic building.

Once you cross every characteristic street in the center, the panorama opens up in all its beauty between green meadows with cows in the wild, picnic areas, hills and the imposing mountains that give a postcard atmosphere. A pleasant walk takes you to the Alpine Hotel Pederü, in the heart of the Val dai Tamersc, one of the natural gateways to the Fanes Senes Braies Nature Park and a symbolic place of the San Vigilio mountain, an ideal starting point for entering the Dolomite landscape with hiking trails that lead to the top of the peaks. 

Here, in the heart of the park, excursions offer a truly unique immersion in nature among plateaus, light rocks, small waterfalls, mountain pines, centuries-old trees, roses and alpine flowers. Before leaving or returning, stop for a break at the bar restaurant of the Alpine Hotel Pederü, to have a drink or enjoy typical dishes surrounded by the magnificent peaks.

Remaining in the village, contact with nature between biodiversity and alpine relaxation is also ensured in the Ciamaor beach along the Rio di San Vigilio which flows from 40 springs called "les fontanes", with clear water, meadows, picnic areas, hammocks and spaces dedicated to outdoor well-being. Nearby, you can also visit the Owl Park which is home to owls and numerous species of birds of prey.

There are several activities that can be practiced in the open air in San Vigilio, from simple walks through green alpine meadows, to trekking between mountain pastures, refuges and mountain huts (from small differences in height of 500 and 600 meters to the high mountains where you can reach 2,500 and 3,000 meters in the Puez-Odle and Fanes-Senes-Braies nature parks), to climbing, river rafting, horseback riding, cycling and mountain biking, yoga lessons but also the exciting Zipline San Vigilio, the largest in Europe. 

The activities are suitable for everyone, both the most trained and families with children, and you can also choose those with expert guides for an accompaniment that becomes a lesson on geology, flora and fauna. For families, the "Tru dles Liondes" walk is recommended, among nature and legends of the mysterious "Kingdom of Fanes", whose people had allied themselves with marmots. Or a bike ride through the ancient historic Ladin farms of San Vigilio that emerge between the pastures and streams.

For a cultural trip outside San Vigilio, you can go and discover the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor in the Medieval Castle of San Martino in Badia, home to the museum dedicated to the history, language, landscape and identity of the Ladins of the Dolomites. After the visit, you can stop for an aperitif at the castle directly in the museum bar, with panoramic views of the high mountains. You can also visit the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, dedicated to the remains of the prehistoric bear found in the Conturines cave, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park or the MMM Corones at the summit of Plan de Corones, above San Vigilio di Marebbe.

A holiday in San Vigilio is completed by shopping in the shops and small shops in the center where you can buy local products, Landino handicrafts or Le Regn de Fanes socks that reproduce the characters of the legendary stories of the Fanes, typical of the Landina culture. And, of course, the sensory experience dedicated to the tasting of typical dishes, with the scent of the mountains.

The cuisine of San Vigilio

In San Vigilio and San Martin you can enjoy Ladin cuisine, simple, genuine and deeply linked to the mountains, made of poor but tasty ingredients, local products and recipes handed down, perfect for getting to know the area also through what you eat.

Among the typical dishes to choose from are crafun (savory crapfen with meat sauce), tultres (small pizzas filled with ricotta and spinach or sauerkraut), barley soup (Panicia), potato cancì, a Ladin specialty similar to stuffed ravioli (white or red), often served with melted butter or simple toppings such as poppy; and the potato salad from the garden, an essential dish but very representative of Alpine cuisine.

Also worth trying are the traditional meat dishes, such as game with mushrooms (chanterelles or porcini mushrooms) or pork loin with ribs, a rustic and rich preparation, suitable for those looking for authentic mountain flavors. For a more informal break at high altitude, especially in the refuges, you can taste other Ladin specialties accompanied by local craft beer, such as the one produced at the Lavarella refuge at 2,050 meters above sea level. Try the tasting of local wine, apple wine and grappa for a sensory experience with alpine herbs and spirits to be combined with the dessert prepared with hot street lamps and cream or ice cream or the classic strudel.

Those who prefer to discover local products can look for goat and cow cheeses, cured meats, sausages, speck, bread, preserves, herbs, honey, jams and small local products in farmers' markets, such as AgriColArt. They are simple but identifying products, born from the farms, meadows, farms and woods of the area.

You can reach San Vigilio by car, by train (German DB, Austrian OBB railways from Bologna, Verona and Venice) to Brunico (with a change in Fortezza) and then continue by bus for about 18 km with transfers on site via Holidaypass or Südtirol Transfer. While, the nearest airports are those of Bolzano, Venice, Treviso and Verona or Innsbruck in Austria. 

Texts by Angela Trivigno

Avion Tourism Magazine

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Where to stay in San Viglilio di Marebbe

In San Vigilio di Marebbe there are several hotels, each with typical characteristics that make them unique. For example, the Hotel Corona which bases hospitality on crystal therapy, the design hotel AMA Stay, the Alpine Hotel Pederü at the foot of the mountains where the hiking trails start and then also in San Martino in Badia and its typical hamlets with alternative stays such as those in the farm of Ostí Vedl or even in Ciasa Linda. And there is also no shortage of overnight stays in refuges such as that of Fodara Vedla. Below is a selection of proposals.

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WHERE TO GO IN SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE

In San Vigilio di Marebbe, in the province of Bolzano, there are several points where you can go to live authentic experiences and activities that contribute to making the holiday full of emotions and memories to carry in the heart. 

In this itinerary we propose some activities to do in San Vigilio, where you can find ideas for mountain excursions, visits to owls and birds of prey, stargazing, yoga in the yurt, zipline in San Vigilio and discovery of San Martino in Badia or its small hamlets such as Longiarù, among typical ancient farms and museums.

Fanes Senes Braies Nature Park

A somewhat steep path but worth following for the natural beauty of the landscape, both during the journey and when you reach the top, is the one that starts from San Vigilio and climbs up to 1980 meters. It starts at the parking lot of the Alpine Hotel Pederü, which is located at the end of the village, and from here you start the walk on the 3 km long hiking trail no. 7, which leads to the Fodara Vedla Hut.

The travel time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes (but it can be even longer if the pace is slow) and can be done both on foot and by mountain bike. Hiking shoes, mountain clothing, snacks and a bottle of water are required. During the journey you can breathe fresh air among pines and trees, mountain flowers, streams, small waterfalls and enjoy the silence interspersed with the delicious sound of birds chirping.

Once you arrive at the Fodara Vedla Refuge you can stop to enjoy excellent drinks, local wines and typical dishes but also stay overnight in a hospitable and comfortable environment, surrounded by a spectacular view. Here at the top, with a bit of luck, you can also spot eagles, ibex, chamois and marmots. From here you can then continue towards the Sas dla Para mountain, above the Fodara Vedla refuge at 2,460 meters, which offers an amazing view as far as Cortina d'Ampezzo. 

Owl Park - Owl Park San Vigilio 

The Owl Park San Vigilio is located on the edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park and is home to over 80 birds of prey belonging to about 30 different species, including owls, tawny owls and owls, some of which are at risk of extinction. The structure is home to a total of more than one hundred birds, including birds of prey and brightly colored talking parrots.

The visit is led by Mario Kelemina, an expert connoisseur of birds of prey, who passionately tells the characteristics of the different species: the habitats in which they live, the diet, the social behaviors and the fundamental role that these animals play in the balance of the alpine environment.

The park is not only dedicated to birds of prey. Inside you can also meet chickens, rabbits and goats that move freely, making the visit pleasant even for children and families. The location contributes to the charm of the experience: the Owl Park is located in a very suggestive natural setting, near Ciamaor, the small area overlooking the San Vigilio stream. It is a suitable place for an outdoor break, a family picnic or a moment of relaxation at the adjacent kiosk.

Stargazing in San Vigilio

The observation of the starry sky is an experience dedicated to silence, night and the immensity of the celestial vault which, in San Viglilio, among the imposing mountains, can be admired in all its splendor.

Accompanied by the expert Julian Rigo, an astronomy enthusiast, you move away from the artificial lights to immerse yourself in the deep darkness and admire stars, planets, constellations and galaxies above the silhouettes of the Dolomites.

With his passion, Julian guides the recognition of the stars visible in the sky, transforming the evening into a journey through science, nature and contemplation. The experience is truly magical and exciting. The viewpoint can be reached from San Vigilio along the Val dai Tamersc road for about 11 kilometers, up to Pederü.

Yoga in the Mongolian yurt

In the park of San Vigilio, in the shade of pines, firs and rowan trees, teachers Miriam and Gabriel offer yoga lessons for adults and children. It is a cool and quiet place even in summer, crossed by the stream and immersed in a natural atmosphere particularly suitable for relaxation and concentration.

At the center of the park is an authentic Mongolian yurt where courses and practices are organized. Here you can choose between yoga classes, morning sessions, power yoga and candlelit Yin yoga, in a cozy environment that favors listening, balance and reconnection with yourself.

The yurt was built according to principles of sustainability, with natural and recyclable materials and with the use of renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind. A small temple surrounded by greenery, where practice meets the quiet of the alpine landscape. In winter, the yurt remains closed due to low temperatures.

Zipline San Vigilio

For those looking for an adrenaline thrill suspended in the air, there is no shortage of experiences in San Vigilio. You can experience the thrill of the longest zipline in Europe, flying suspended at a height of one hundred meters and sliding on a steel wire until you reach eighty kilometers per hour, or choose the absolute freedom of paragliding, taking off from the top of Plan de Corones to be lulled by the updrafts. 

The San Vigilio di Marebbe zipline plunges more than 400 meters in altitude from Piz de Plaies and is the right activity for those looking for extreme adventure on a course that has 10 sections for a total of 3,200 meters and the highest point from the ground is over 100 meters.

Longiarù in the municipality of San Martino in Badia

Longiarü, a hamlet of San Martino in Badia at 1,398 meters above sea level, is located in the Puez-Odle Nature Park and retains an authentic alpine character, made up of unspoilt landscapes, old farms and quiet rhythms. In spring and summer it is an ideal destination for hiking, trekking, cycling and climbing. Among the most characteristic places is the Val di Morins, the Valley of the Mills, where a path of about 1.5 kilometers leads to eight ancient mills along the stream.

In autumn and winter, Longiarü offers snowshoeing, tobogganing, skating and snow activities. The village is also located a few minutes from the Plan de Corones area, connected to the Dolomiti Superski and the Sellaronda and the Great War Tour itineraries. A perfect destination for those looking for nature, silence, Ladin traditions and outdoor activities in the heart of the Dolomites.

For a gourmet stop in Longiarü, Ciasa Linda offers carefully prepared dishes based on local products, fresh and genuine, reinterpreted in a creative way by Alfred with the help of his mother Linda. Their cozy house also offers hospitality for stays immersed in the quiet and small village. Alfred's passion for cooking also leads him to cook on demand, at home or to take away, and he opens his home even just for breakfast, prepared with homemade cakes and biscuits, eggs, fruit, cold cuts and cheeses from the area.

Longiarü Farm

In the Dolomite territory of San Vigilio/San Martin, in Longiarü, a hamlet of San Martino in Badia recognized as a Mountaineers' Village for its authentic and unspoiled character, there is Ostí Vedl, a historic sixteenth-century farmhouse once used as a tavern with inn and now managed by Martin who revives his father Giovanni's dream. Its Ladin name means "the old innkeeper", while the first documentary evidence of the building dates back to the thirteenth-fourteenth century.

Made of wood on a stone base, with a stable and barn distributed on several levels, it is one of the oldest farms in the area. The restoration has preserved its original alpine soul, restoring authentic and intimate environments, far from the main road and immersed in the quiet of Longiarü and the Puez Odle nature park. The structure has seven rooms with private bathroom, ancient stube, kitchen with oven, breakfast room, attic dedicated to relaxation, cellar for tastings and, in the outdoor garden, a small wellness area with Jacuzzi, commissioned by Martin to let his guests observe the stars at night in a unique setting. 

Right in the cellar, around the large centuries-old beam that supports the farm, you can taste local products such as bacon, homemade bacon, wines and local specialties. Staying in this farm means experiencing Val Badia at a slow and genuine pace, among farms, pastures, barns, animals and Ladin traditions. The structure is also open to those who do not stay overnight and want to stop for a tasty breakfast full of local flavors.

Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor a San Martino in Badia

The Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor is located in the medieval castle of San Martino in Badia, a building documented since 1230 and born as a fief of the bishops of Bressanone. The museum tells the history, language and culture of the Ladin communities of the Dolomites, relating the identity of this Alpine people with the mountain landscape in which they developed.

At the center of the exhibition is the Ladin language, a neo-Latin language derived from Vulgar Latin and enriched by Rhaetian and Nordic influences. Still spoken today in the Dolomite valleys, it represents one of the most important elements of the local identity and one of the oldest linguistic testimonies of the area.

Through objects, documents and insights, the museum presents the artisan traditions, customs, forms of daily life and historical transformations that have affected the Ladins of the Dolomites. The route also shows how the natural environment, with its isolated valleys and mountains, has contributed to the preservation of the language and the formation of a culture linked to the territory. The museum, characterized by a modern design, also has a Panorama Café where you can take a break and admire the mountains.