Ladin Cultural Institute "Micurà de Rü"

The Ladin Cultural Institute "Micurà de Rü" can be found in San Martino in Badia. Its establishment was decided with a provincial law from 31st of July 1976 and it was opened in the autumn of 1977.

The institute's objectives are:

study of the language, history and culture of the Dolomite Ladins on a scientific level;

contribution to the maintenance and strengthening of the language and the promotion of culture through courses, publications and permanent educational programmes;

establishment of an archive and a library specialized in Ladin studies;

intensification of relations between the Ladins of all valleys and between the Ladins of the Dolomites, from Friuli and Grigioni.

With its numerous activities the institute has already contributed to the culture and has given a strong impulse to the Ladin conscience.

The library (specialized and general library with video and audio player) is open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

In summer time the library organizes various exhibitions of internationally renowned Ladin artists.

Phone: +39 0474 523110 - www.micura.it - e-mail: micura@ladinia.net


Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor

The "Ciastel de Tor" Castle was inaugurated as Provincial Multimedia Museum of the Culture and History of the Dolomite Ladins in 2001.
The Ladins of the Dolomites represent a linguistic minority, who live right in the heart of the Dolomites and in the various valleys around the Sella Group. About 30,000 people still speak the Ladin language and regard it as the main element of their identity. This special language was only spoken, not written, until one and half centuries ago. It only survived in the dense valleys in the middle of the mountains, while in other parts the Italian and German languages took over.
The visit to the Museum Ladin brings to light some particular circumstances of the history and the current life of the Dolomite Ladins and underlines the important influences of supraregional events on the life of this population. Furthermore it proves the existing connections between the shape of the landscape and the way of living.

History of the Castle
Around 1230 A.D. some ministries of the bishops of Bressanone ordered the construction of an isolated tower with three floors which could be inhabited. This tower was mentioned for the first time in 1290 as "Turris in Geder". It represented the heart of jurisdiction of "Tower in Square" (as it would be literally translated). This feud of the bishops was entrusted to the Sirs of Rodank - Schöneck in 1331. Throughout the course of the following years they ordered the construction of a boundary wall with a surrounding walk and a new small building to live in (palace). Two floors were added to the tower and it then served as a granary.
In 1426 the Beerthold bishop submitted jurisdiction directly to the administration of ecclesiastical principalities, and appointed officials with the tasks of administrators and judges.
After 1580 further integration took place: the Roman palace was extended, and thereby reached today's shape and two round towers were added to the boundary wall.
Shortly after the bishops of Bressanone lost their powers over the jurisdiction of the Torre in Gader in 1803, the castle was acquired by farming families. Their ancestors lived in the castle up to the transformation into a museum.

Phone: +39 0474 524020 - www.museumladin.it - e-mail: info@museumladin.it


Round tour of the Viles in Longiarù (Roda dles Viles) - and visit to the lime furnace

Longiarù - Frëina - Seres - Valley of Mills - Miscì - Longiarù
Hike of about 6 km and with a difference in altitude of 400 m.

From the square in Longiarù we follow the provincial road in a south-easterly direction (towards Juvel Pass).
Before reaching the last houses of the village, we will take the right path (no. 4) and walk along the left river shore of the Seres River. Shortly after, we will reach Frëina, a small agglomerate embedded in the river shore. The path continues in an upwardly direction until reaching the "Vila di Seres", which gives us an architectonic imagination of this extraordinary compactness. This is one of the most representative "Viles" in the Badia Valley. In order to view it from close up we need to reach the first houses and take the path to the left, which brings us through gardens and door constructions to the central square.
This area of wooden architecture of barns and the houses in the valley round off the precious workshops connected to the rural culture.
At the lower part of the square we see a bread oven which is still perfectly conserved and is used by four different owners. Opposite this oven we see the fountain completely realized in wood, and a broad bean where the broad beans are dried in autumn. Together with the lively colours of the door and window frames, they revive and enrich this small community area, which is perfect in its proportion and atmosphere.

Leaving the square in the direction of the mountain, we reach the road which, to the left, brings us to the valley with the Seres River. Here we find eight mills and this is the reason why this valley is called the "Valley of Mills". Here we can admire an interesting hydraulic arrangement, which was realized by the inhabitants of Seres and Miscì with the help of reins, closed and constructed in wood.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, we can find eight water mills, which provide a true outdoor museum with their millwheels, their millstones and their gearing.

Crossing the river on a little bridge, a slightly ascending path brings us to Miscì, a settlement of fundamental dimensions and composed of two groups on a steep hill. It is arranged around community areas, equipped with ovens and fountains.
Some houses are especially interesting, like the highest house or the wall house, which provides a typical example of architecture during the beginning of the 10th century. Also remarkable is the detail in technology of barns and external arrangements. From Miscì we then take the path on the left below the "Vila" until reaching the asphalt road at the bottom of Miscì. This is a downwards road in the opposite direction of Seres and brings us to a beautiful larch forest. Right at the beginning of the larch forest we can admire a lime furnace (Ladin: Cialciar), which was used for the production of lime, one of the primary materials indispensable in the construction of walls. The lime was extracted from lime stones which could be found in this area. The lime stones were then transported to the production centre by means of horses.
The lime furnace was only recently restructured, and the traditional shapes were maintained. Since the summer of 2003, upon an initiative of the Tourism Association, the furnace is in operation and follows the traditional method of lime production.
At the entrance to the lime works, the necessary equipment for this type of work is exhibited.

We then follow the main road and take the path to the left in order to reach Longiarù. Those who are not yet tired, and would therefore like to extend the excursion can take the road to the right to the glade of Mongraven. Thanks to the beautiful lime phenomenon it represents a natural monument.

In summer time we organize guided tours to the Viles and the Valley of Mills in Longiarù on a weekly basis. Furthermore, in July and August, the lowest of the eight mills and therefore closest to Seres, is in operation every Thursday.

The Valley of Mills a Longiarù

In addition to the elements which characterize Longiarù, like the particular farmer ambience with typical settlements (Le Viles) and the enchanting natural landscape of the Puez-Odle Natural Park, the "Valley of Mills" is also to be admired.
Nowadays, the mills are only operated for demonstrative purposes, but still provide living evidence of an ancient culture. During the long period, in which the inhabitants of this valley lived exclusively from what they could extract from the ground, the mills represented an indispensable infrastructure for survival. After a strong socio-economic development during the last few decades in particular, many things have changed for the people in this valley and for the farmers in particular. The means of survival have changed and we often tend to forget the importance that the mills had for so many centuries.
Today, we can still find about 30 mills in the valley of Longiarù, which operate thanks to ingenious wooden channels and transverse beams.

The best preserved mills are located in the fractions of Miscì/Seres. In order to visit these mills follow the road to the Viles di Seres until you reach the bridge crossing the Seres River.
Here you can already admire the first of eight mills along this river.
Only recently have these mills been completely restructured and a path of 1.5 km was laid out so the mills could be visited from close up.

Guided excursions to the Valley of Mills are organized on a weekly basis.
Prior registration at the Tourism Association is necessary.