Discover the towns in Val di Fiemme
Between tradition and modernity at the foot of the Dolomites
Bellamonte
Bellamonte, hamlet of Predazzo, was considered “the mount of hay” of Val di Fiemme. Nowadays it is a renowned resort thanks to both the typical mountain huts at the foot of the mountain chain of Lagorai, and for the breathtaking sunsets that inflame the marvellous mountains Pale di San Martino. One of the right places to visit in Bellamonte is the incredible collection of tools and objects that farmers used in the past – the ancient log cabin hosting Granpa Gustavo's Museum.
The ski lifts Bellamonte-Alpe Lusia caress the borders of the Natural Park Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino, famous for the forests of spruces, the “resonance tree” used to manufacture the soundboards of musical instruments.
Capriana
Capriana is the smallest and most decentralized municipality of Val di Fiemme and it includes also the villages Maso Bait, Carbonare, Rover, Maso Lio, Maso Casel and Maso Cao de Villa. The first settlement was probably Carbonare, so called because of the production of coal from oak wood. Privileged destination for nature and tranquility lovers, the village is near the vineyards of Val di Cembra, the most ancient ones of Trentino, and it is located in the Monte Corno Natural Park. Following the European path E5 you can reach Prati del Toro, Lago Bianco (1,675 m) and Lago Nero (1,717 m), up to the top of Monte Corno (1,815 m).
Carano
Carano is a typical alpine village situated on a natural terrace dominating the valley and overlooking the mountain chain of Lagorai and Pale di San Martino. This village was built on the remains of an ancient fortified borough, dating back to the Bronze Age. The so-called “Cortazze” or “Corti” characterize the centre – a large network of passages and tiny streets on the steepest slope to facilitate the flow of water. Wandering around, you can notice wall paintings and frescoes, the beautiful monolithic fountain built in 1888, the capital dedicated to the Holy Virgin and the church of Carano-Ville di Fiemme, dedicated to San Nicolò di Bari (1150). In Carano you can visit the ethnographic museum Casa Begna and the ancient Ceva source, from which springs a sulfate-calcium-magnesium water, that effectively fights rheumatic and skin diseases. One of the most fantastic walks around the village is Sentiero delle Cascatelle (little waterfalls trail).
Castello di Fiemme
Castello di Fiemme is a typical village of ancient construction, situated in a cosy, large and sunny hollow surrounded by meadows and fields. The climate is dry and wholesome: in this place, the lowest quantity of annual precipitations in the whole valley is recorded. The name “Castello” derives from the ancient manor built on the rocky hill of the village. In 1296 the inhabitants of the valley plundered and burned the castle as a symbol of oppression. Nowadays, on top of the hill lies the parish church of S. Giorgio, built in the Nineteenth century.
In Castello, four medieval buildings known as “Roman houses” are a big attraction. In the tiny streets of the village, there are old country-noble and massive houses, with wooden outdoor staircases and sacred frescoes. In the surroundings, you can visit the Doss Zelòr, headquarters of a prehistoric fortified borough, where they discovered clay vases dating back to the Bronze Age and objects dating back to the second Iron Age.
Cavalese
Cavalese lies on a sunny location in front of the mountain chain of Lagorai. The crenellated bell tower of the church dedicated to San Sebastiano dominates the village. In the old centre, there are arts and crafts ateliers, sportswear shops, a disco, pubs, wine bars, famous restaurants, ancient buildings recently renovated, elegant villas and cutting-edge sport venues. One is the ice stadium, where you can skate both in summer and in winter, and the swimming-pool with indoor and outdoor hydromassage pools. In Cavalese, skiers and hikers can take the cableway to Alpe Cermis, the best place near town to enjoy marvellous landscapes at high altitude. On board of the cableway you can also reach the bottom of the valley, that in summer is crossed by the cycle lane of the Dolomites - in winter by the cross-country track of Marcialonga.
Daiano
This distinctive village lies on the road that, from Cavalese, leads to Passo Lavazé. Daiano-Ville di Fiemme is one of the tiniest villages of Val di Fiemme, but also the place that can boasts of the most hours of sun throughout the year.
You can recognize the village thanks to the onion-shaped bell tower of the Gothic church dedicated to San Tommaso, built in 1761. On the walls of the most ancient houses there are several sacred frescoes. The buildings show the typical architectural features of the valley, such as monolithic fountains that decorate the streets or the “Roman” house, also called “Castello” (castle), which is another Gothic and giant building, or the wooden houses and their strict and rustic appearance.
Molina di Fiemme
Molina di Fiemme lies on the shores of the water stream Avisio, at the entrance of Val Cadino.
Besides Predaia and Stramentizzo, Molina is one of the villages that are part of the municipality of Castello-Molina di Fiemme. The two main hamlets are 2km far from the other.
The building style of the village mirror the liking of the valley. Molina offers all guests many activities in nature – in winter, all cross-country skiing lovers can ski along the track of Marcialonga and in summer you can try all hundreds of routes and walks passing through meadows, forests and marvellous corners of the valley. Molina represents the starting point of the Cycle Lane of the Dolomites.
Panchià
Panchià is a little village of Val di Fiemme, between Tesero and Ziano di Fiemme. Dominated by the massif of Cornon and Mount Agnello, Panchià is a typical mountain village, at a short distance to the ski-areas where you can practice downhill, snowboard and Nordic skiing – as well as the numerous hiking and trekking possibilities that you can enjoy throughout the summer.
The two water streams Avisio and Rio Bianco run through the village. The old bridge over the water stream Avisio, “Ponte vecchio”, is a real gem of this village. Built in 1903, it has got a gabled wooden roof. The parish church of Panchià, dedicated to S. Valentino, was built in 1190. Along the walk that reaches Val Cavelonte, you can discover the magnificent monumental tree called “Pecio del Cuco”.
Predazzo
In the past there were twelve farms. Now it is the most populated village of Val di Fiemme. Predazzo is known to be the “Geological garden of the Alps” thanks to the highest concentration of geological varieties in the world. In the main and central square, you can visit the Geological Museum of the Dolomites to admire an extraordinary collection of minerals and fossils, but also scientific literature about the formation of the Dolomites. Walking along the geological path of Doss Capèl, between Passo Feudo and Alpe di Pampeago (2.000-2.200 mt. asl.), you can notice sea-beds and beaches, shells and star fish dating back to the era before the appearance of dinosaurs; then lava, ashes and lapilli originated by the ancient volcano of Predazzo.
Tesero
Tesero is a cradle of traditions in the heart of Val di Fiemme. At Christmas time, one hundred of handcrafted cribs make their appearance from alleys, courtyards, windows, stables and cellars to live up the precious period of “Tesero and its cribs”, which appeals thousands of visitors every year. In the summertime, the inhabitants of Tesero give life to the traditional event called “Le corte de Tiezer” in the courtyards, with fantastic re-enactments of ancient crafts, culinary traditions and music.
The oldest part of the village is dotted with churches, capitals, sundials, frescoes and bread ovens. Do not forget to visit Casa Jellici, a historic building now turned into a museum and special venue for exhibitions, shows and concerts. Some of the art elements of interest are the parish church of S. Eliseo and its bizarre bell tower, the chapel of S. Rocco built in the sixteenth century, the Gothic church dedicated to the saints Leonardo and Gottardo and the baroque building hosting the Town Hall.
Tesero is the perfect destination for sports lovers, too. In the hamlet of Lago there is the Cross-Country Stadium, which hosted three editions of the Nordic World Ski Championships (1991, 2003, 2013).
Valfloriana
Valfloriana is a village composed of ten hamlets (Barcatta, Casanova, Casatta, Dorà, Montalbiano, Sicina, Valle, Villaggio), perched along the edge of Val di Fiemme. Like Capriana, also Valfloriana is at the boundary with Val di Cembra. Thanks to its off-centred position, there you can enjoy relaxing atmospheres, where traditions are still maintained and continued. At night, the village is the meeting-point of gourmets that come to Valfloriana to taste the delicious and genuine food of local agritourisms. Valfloriana is known for its annual joyful and archaic Matòci Carnival, celebrated with a long parade of characters wearing a wooden mask (facère) and colourful costumes. If you follow the parade, village after village, in each hamlet you can taste typical food and especially cheeses, like the zigare (cones of ricotta, salt and pepper) or the ancient cheese Casat.
Varena
Varena lies in an excellent position, nestled at the foot of the mount Corno Nero. This village is one of the most ancient centres of Trentino. Walking in Varena you can stare at typical monolithic porphyry fountains. According to the tradition, from the fountains of Varena-Ville di Fiemme sprang the best drinkable water of the valley. The church of Varena - consecrated in the Thirteenth century - is dedicated to the saints Pietro and Paolo and the internal Gothic and medieval decorations are worth a visit – the masterpieces were made by Longo and the paintings by Unterperger. Around the village there are numerous flat and panoramic walks.
Ziano di Fiemme
This fabulous village and its hamlets Zanon, Roda, Bosin, Parti del Cioto and Zanolin, lie along the water stream Avisio, in front of the majestic mountain chain of Lagorai, just at the point where the valley makes a large curve. Fir trees and large green expanses – mostly flat – arrive at the edge of the village. With its extensive network of hiking and trekking trails in the dolomitic mountain chains of Latemar and Lagorai, Ziano di Fiemme represents the ideal winter and summer resort. In the summertime, the village is outlined by the Cycle lane of the Dolomites. In the wintertime, the legendary ski track of Marcialonga pencils this lovely place. Moreover, Ziano lies near the ski lifts of Ski Center Latemar and Alpe Cermis.
