Ladin culture

Nature, agriculture and traditions.
Fanes Group and the farm Lüch da Pcëi
hand down Ladin history and culture

The visit of the museum is absolutely recommended for all those who are interested in culture and want to know everything about Ladin traditions and customs. The Museum Ladin Ćiastel de Tor as well as its branch office, the Museum Ladin Ursus Ladinicus are located in S. Cassiano.

The first one is situated in San Martin de Tor and provides a comprehensive insight in Ladin culture and about the valley's history (where it has spread as well as its main characteristics) and of course: history, language, archaeology, geology and handicraft.

Today the museum is also the location for a great number of cultural complementary activities such as exhibitions, concerts and seminars concerning the Ladin culture and language. Particular attention is paid on the reintroduction of ancient customs and traditional activities.

The Museumladin Ursus Ladinicus in San Cassiano has been opened in 2011 and offers an interesting insight on the prehistoric home of the Dolomite Bear. Here you can admire unique finds from the 80s and 90s, which were found in a cave on the Conturines peak.

Beside the remains of the cave lion, at the Museumladin Ursus Ladinicus you can see those of the Conturines Bear. It belonged to a different species of bear never described before, and which became famous as Ursus ladinicus, in honour of the Ladin people of The Dolomites.

The museum extends over three floors: on the top floor the exhibition begins with the history of the formation of the Dolomites, presenting the wonderful fossils which characterise the San Cassiano area. It then goes on telling the story of the formation of The Cave, the story of its discovery and the follow-up research. And through the exhibition of original remains and items there is a presentation of many of the aspects of the life of the bears in the Cave.

Also the cave itself may be visited, however, we warmly recommend this trip only to experienced hikers  and exclusively during summer months.

For further information and detailed opening hours please visit both websites museumladin.it and ursusladinicus.it

Ladin belongs to the rhaetian languages and counts about 55 thousand native speakers. It comes from Latin and has developed throughout the dolomitic valleys.
As for any other people, their own language – Ladin in this case - represents a very important element. It underlines the strong connection between the geographically separated provinces of Belluno, Bolzano and Trento.

Also the farm Lüch da Pcëi is a wonderful proof of Ladin language and culture. Indeed, the name of the B&B and Agritur of San Cassiano is Ladin and means „Fir wood farm“. The dairy cows stable instead is called Majün da Pcëi, while the name of the Restaurant „La Sieia“ can be translated with „sawmill“.

You will notice Ladin names and traditions in almost any of the Fanes Group businesses and especially at the historical Dolomiti Wellness Hotel Fanes in San Cassiano. The hotel – which was founded in 1957 - has been one of the first accommodation facilities of the whole valley.

At the very beginning, the Hotel was still called „Ciasa Pcëi”, which, according to a non-faithful translation from the Ladin means “wooden house”. Different guests suggested to call it “Negritella”, but Corado didn't agree. That name sounded too Italian! “Our guests were already international” underlined Mrs. Maria Crazzolara.

“Due to the different war events we also wanted to exclude a German name and decided finally to opt for a Ladin one. It not only referred to the legend of the reign of Fanes but also to the Dolomite mountain range and the natural park of Sennes and Braies, explains Mrs. Maria.

The farm's old stable instead, can be considered as a wonderful example of local architecture: it dates back to 1566, is entirely made of wood and has never been damaged. A true monument to ancient customs and occupations. You can see it towering between the Dolomiti Wellness Hotel Fanes and the Farm Lüch da Pcëi, from where he observes the time passing by.