Ferrara di Braies di Dentro

In the heart of the Braies Valley, the houses of Braies di Dentro (Innerprags, literally: Inner Braies) gather around the village centre known as Ferrara (Schmieden). In the midst of it all stands a cultural gem: the Chapel of ease of the Suffering Redeemer, built on the walls of a small church from the 17th century. For a long time, it was simply a quiet retreat and beautiful adornment in the village, until valuable and unique frescoes came to light during restoration work in 1981.

Ponticello is the name of the place with the hikers' car park, from where the shuttle service takes you to the high plateau of the Prato Piazza. It is a paradise beneath the mighty rock faces of the Braies Dolomites with Mt. Croda Rossa d'Ampezzo. An excursion is recommended at any time of the year: In summer, the hiking paths lead flatly to the mountain huts such as the Vallandro Hut in the midst of unforgettable nature. Right next to the snack station, the Prato Piazza Fortress tells of the days of mountain warfare in the Dolomites during World War 1. At that time, South Tyrol was still part of Austria, and the complex was part of the Austrian fortifications on the border to Italy.

Those who come to the Valle di Braies in winter will find several beautiful cross-country ski tracks between the heights of the Prato Piazza and the individual villages in the valley. The track of Ponticello, for example, starts at the ski lifts of Bagni di Braies Vecchia, a small ski area that is ideal for beginners and families. It then leads to Ponticello, where the road ascends to the Prato Piazza. Up there, high above the valley, wonderful winter hiking paths take you through the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. Children are pulled along the flat paths on the sledge, couples enjoy the majestic beauty of the Dolomites, and the mountain inn is the ideal place to warm up.