THE OFFICIAL GUIDE cortina d’ampezzo DOLOMITES CURIOSITIES INFO CULTURE CRAFTSMANSHIP HISTORY EVENTS FAMILY SPORT © 2020 Cortina Marketing Texts: Logos Group e Cortina Marketing GASTRONOMY Design and graphics: Gianluca Magri @ Bit Runner Studio Cover picture: bandion.it LIFESTYLE Back cover picture: Paola Dandrea We thank everyone who gave their contribution to create this guide. WELLNESS cortina dolomiti | the official guide cortina dolomiti | the official guide THE DOLOMITES THE PALE MOUNTAINS, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE 250 million years ago, the Dolomites were a Cortina d’Ampezzo, whose mountains mass of shells, coral and algae submerged are part of the UNESCO World Heritage DOLOMITES in a tropical sea. 70 million years ago they area and under protection of the Natural emerged, and after being eroded by time Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites, is the and the elements, they have become a ge- perfect place to wander and discover this ological treasure of uncomparable beauty. uniquely beautiful world of immense The Dolomites are named after the French vertical walls, spires and pinnacles, naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu who, in the green valleys, high mountain pastures, second half of the eighteenth century, was forests, streams, beautiful lakes, can- the first to study the particular type of rock yons and waterfalls. predominant in this region. The unique mix Professional mountain guides are availa- of minerals present in the rock gives the ble for adults and children, individuals and mountains a special light shade, which is groups, to help visitors get to know the Do- why they are also known as the pale moun- lomites, their story, and the flora and fauna tains. At sunset and sunrise, the Dolomites that live here. Climbing and via ferratas, are set ablaze by the rays of the sun in a hiking, trekking and mountain biking are spectacle of colours ranging from pink to just a few of the outdoor options offered by fiery red. This is the effect of the famous our mountain professionals. Enrosadira, or Alpenglow phenomenon. © bandion.it 4 5 cortina dolomiti | the official guide cortina dolomiti | the official guide A UNIQUE DESTINATION NATURE, TRADITIONS AND CHARM UNESCO BEST OF THE ALPS DOLOMITES On the 26th of June 2009, the UNESCO de- Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the prestigious clared the Dolomites a World Natural Her- European association Best of the Alps, an itage Area for their unique and monumental international seal of quality uniting the 13 beauty, thus recognising the unicity of these most famous and exclusive alpine resorts, mountains. The World Heritage recognition appreciated for the quality of their services is a testament not only to the beauty of the and facilities, admired for their striking area, but also to the hard work to protect landscapes and for their cultural, natural and enhance the unexampled environment and environmental heritage. Best of the surrounding Cortina. Alps stands for a long hospitality tradition that has paved the road for both winter and summer mountain tourism. In each of the 13 destinations, the beauty of the landscape and the uniqueness of the environment are perfectly combined with the requirements of modern tourism. © bandion.it 6 7 cortina dolomiti | the official guide cortinacortina dolomiti dolomiti | the official| la guida guide ufficiale ENROSADIRA STUNNING NATURAL LANDSCAPES DOLOMITES At sunset and sunrise, the Dolomites are ruler of this kingdom, King Laurino. After set ablaze by the sunrays in a spectacle seeing her beauty, he fell in love with her of colours ranging from pink to fiery red: and he thus captured and imprisoned her. this is the effect of the famous Enrosa- King Laurino, desperate of losing her dau- dira, or Alpenglow. ghter, threw a spell on the mountains or- According to legend, once upon a time, the dering all the flowers, which had betrayed mountain tops were covered with flowers their presence, to transform into rock all day and inhabited by gnomes. One day, the prin- and night. He did however forget about the ce of Latemar, stunned by the splendour of twilight. Thus, still to this day, at sunrise the beautiful flowers covering the moun- and at sunset one can admire the red tinges tains, decided to explore the area. This is of that enchanted flower garden. when he first saw Ladina, the daughter of © Mauro Devich 8 9 cortina dolomiti | the official guide cortina dolomiti | the official guide HISTORY OF CORTINA FROM MYTH TO THE QUEEN OF THE DOLOMITES The history of Cortina d’Ampezzo is touched had Cortina become part of the Kingdom of by legend and drama. There are testimonies Italy, and in the following years the town of ancient Roman settlements as well as opened up to the world and to sports, rap- traces of the Barbarians. The valley was idly becoming the Queen of the Dolomites. originally a land of farmers, thanks to its Hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics, the first protected and safe location in the Dolomite games broadcast live on television, firmly HISTORY mountains. However, it was forestry and established Cortina d’Ampezzo as a prestig- timber trade that drove the economic de- ious location for winter sports and a priv- velopment of Cortina d’Ampezzo. ileged stage for La Dolce Vita. Due to its strategic geographical location Ever since, Cortina d’Ampezzo is an in- on the national border, Cortina was part of ternational tourist destination and ven- the Republic of Venice to be later annexed ue for many international sport events, to the Austrian Empire, of which it was part having hosted over 25 editions of the for 400 years. Women’s Alpine World Cup, numerous Towards the mid-1800s, the railway ar- Nordic skiing events, the Snowboard FIS rived at Cortina’s borders, bringing the first World Cup, the Freeride World Cup, as wealthy Anglo-Saxon, German and Russian well as many other major events. travellers to discover these beautiful moun- Today, the town has approximately 6,000 tains. The first hotels and tourist facilities inhabitants, swelling to nearly 50,000 in opened, transforming Cortina d’Ampezzo high season. Its reputation as a world class into the true capital of the Dolomites. tourist destination is the result of a tena- The First World War, from 1915 to 1918, was cious and conscious development with em- the event that more than any other devastat- phasis on preserving its natural landscapes ed Cortina, leaving scars still visible today. and traditions. The defeat of the Austro-Hungarian army © Archivio Foto Zardini 10 11 cortinacortina dolomiti dolomiti | la guida | the official ufficiale guide cortinacortina dolomiti dolomiti | the |official la guida guide ufficiale © bandion.it 12 13 cortina dolomiti | the official guide cortina dolomiti | the official guide PLEASURES MOUNTAIN FLAVOURS PUCCIA A typical local bread prepared with a blend of rye and wheat flours, and perfumed with cumin and fennel seeds. OF THE PALATE It comes in two versions, either as a soft loaf, or dry and crispy. In its soft form, it is the base for the most typical MOUNTAIN DELIGHTS local panini, stuffed with cold cuts and cheese. CASUNZIEI Ravioli in a crescent-moon shape, red when filled with beetroot - a strictly local variety - or green when made with spinach or with the wild herbs that abound in the springtime meadows. Because of Cortina’s location and history, the li (knödel), bread dumplings with cheese, CANEDERLI Bread dumplings filled with cured speck meat, spinach or local cuisine is a blend of Italian and Tyro- speck or spinach, and spätzle, speck-fla- cheese, and served in broth or garnished with melted butter lean flavours. The traditional dishes of the voured gnocchi. Polenta, served in combi- and parmesan cheese. area and more can be savoured in the many nation with cheese, mushrooms, sausage or restaurants, pizzerias, cafes, bars, mountain goulash, is another must of the local cuisine. SPÄTZLE Small green gnocchi of wheat flour and spinach, served refuges and mountain farms combining Main courses are usually meat-based, con- either with speck and cream or with gorgonzola. the atmosphere and the panoramas of the sisting frequently of typical local products Dolomites with the pleasure of good food. like speck and flavoured game dishes like BARLEY SOUP Soup made with pearled barley, chopped vegetables and Cortina d’Ampezzo is a paradise for food deer and roe deer. Cured or seasoned pork smoked meat. lovers and gourmands, with several excel- dishes feature frequently on the menu, in lent restaurants, a discerning clientele and the form of pork shank or sausage with po- GOULASH SOUP Local version of the famous Hungarian recipe based on GASTRONOMY award-winning chefs able to satisfy even lenta. Those with a sweet tooth should go beef, spices and potatoes. the most demanding palates. for an apple strudel or Sacher cake. Other The restaurant scene offers fine dining local treats that simply must be tried in- Stir-fried potatoes with abundant onion and intensely and genuine local food, Italian cuisine clude wonderful tarts filled with berries, PATATE ALL’AMPEZZANA flavoured local cured speck. and top-quality wine lists. ice-cream with hot raspberries, and pan- The most famous local dish is casunziei, cake/omelettes made with flour and egg bat- RASPBERRIES Hot raspberries with vanilla ice cream. half-moon shaped ravioli that are red if ter and served with cranberry jam. Nighele AND ICE CREAM stuffed with beetroot, or green if stuffed are local deep fried sweets, served with a A cake with a rustic taste, sweetened with cranberry jam. with spinach or with cheroute, a local wild dusting of icing sugar. BUCKWHEAT CAKE herb. Try also the traditional caneder- APPLE STRUDEL Chopped apple, raisins and pine nuts, perfumed with cloves and cinnamon and wrapped in flaky pastry.