Ćiastel de Tor in the main village of San Martino is the landmark of Ladinia and home to the Museum Ladin
Image gallery: San Martino
San Martino (St. Martin) is a popular destination for active holidaymakers, who are increasingly discovering the quieter months of spring and autumn. During these off-peak seasons, the pace is more tranquil, a quality that visitors in search of relaxation particularly appreciate. The village centre is clustered around a bank, a grocery shop and an inn. Next to them stands the parish church which, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Saint Martin. Inside, several statues by Dominikus Moling (1691-1761), a sculptor from the Val Badia Baroque period, are on display.
The landmark of Ladinia, Ćiastel de Tor, is perched on a hill above the village. The former castle, known as Schloss Thurn in German, now houses a museum and is a worthwhile destination for a day trip. In the Museum Ladin, the permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history, legends and archaeology of the Ladin people of the Dolomites. The museum also has a second site in San Cassiano in the Alta Badia: The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus is dedicated to the cave bear.
The Ladin Cultural Institute "Micurà de Rü" is also based in San Martino, right next to the parish church. It is an institution dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Ladin language. San Martino is surrounded by the meadows and forests of the Puez-Odle Nature Park.
This impressive Dolomite landscape provides countless opportunities for tours. In winter, when a thick blanket of snow covers the village, tranquillity descends upon the valley. This is when winter sports enthusiasts are drawn to the cross-country ski trails at the Passo delle Erbe, go ski touring to peaks such as Mt. Sass de Putia, or head for the slopes of the Plan de Corones Skiing Area.
