{"id":125583,"date":"2025-10-07T07:53:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T05:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.streifzugmedia.com\/bericht\/cortina-dampezzo\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T09:12:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T08:12:13","slug":"cortina-dampezzo","status":"publish","type":"avada_portfolio","link":"https:\/\/www.streifzugmedia.com\/en\/bericht\/cortina-dampezzo\/","title":{"rendered":"Cortina d’Ampezzo, Queen of the Dolomites"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BEST OF | Issue 04 | AUTUMN\/WINTER 2025\/26 | Text: Barbara Schneeberger<\/span><\/p>\n

You can compare her to a pearl, for Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo is wreathed like a precious necklace by the striking cliffs and rock formations of the 3000-metre peaks of the Dolomites, which seem to be looking after, protecting her. Her history is deeply moving, nature\u2019s backdrop resembles a stage set. Quite conscious of her attractiveness, movie directors, writers, organizers and artists have come to orchestrate their stories in this renowned spot, reaping its untold advantages. Yet in spite of all the worldly temptations, the Queen of the Dolomites remains firmly grounded, inseparably linked to earth, and is proud of its multi-faceted and highly talented residents. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

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Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo has occupied an unshakeable pedestal in the minds of many people as a wintertime sports mecca ever since 1956, when the tiny Italian city was chosen as noble venue for the Olympic Winter Games and presented itself to the world. And today, seventy years later, from 6th<\/sup> to 22nd<\/sup> February 2026, the Olympic torch will once again be set aflame in Northern Italy. Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo will without doubt rise once again to fulfill her role as such a longstanding reputation demands, as an outstanding hostess to the world, when alpine skiing women, bobsled, skeleton, toboggan and curling let loose their competitions here. But insiders, nature lovers, activists of all genres as well as historians know quite well that the town nestled at 1211 metres altitude possesses uncountable charms and attractions above and beyond the uproar and glory-seeking fanfare of Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

At a 64% gradient, the Women\u2019s Ski World Cup racers reach speeds of over 130 km\/hr on the challenging \u201cTofana Schuss\u201d section of the Olimpia delle Tofane course.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

The cable car from Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo ascends to the Cima Tofana at 3244 metres in three stages, overcoming a total elevation gain of 2200 metres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motifs like a dream come true<\/h2>\n

Among the most prominent reasons is the absolutely peerless gigantic natural setting of the most striking mountain massif of the Dolomites, the Tofane, along with the rough-hewn rock formations of Cinque Torri which are beloved goals of mountaineers and photographers alike. Their lenses seem to never grow tired in their search for unusual, or impressive, or gaspingly breathtaking motifs. Everywhere you look, scenes ranging from the resplendent to the sublime unfold to the eye: the magnificent panorama of the mountain pass named Passo di Giau, the picturesque Fanes Waterfalls, the seductive lakes, the stunning churches, the painted frescoes at the \u201cCi\u00e0sa de I P\u00f9pe\u201d in the lovely inner city dotted with caf\u00e9s, restaurants and boutiques…the list could be extended to fill pages of attractions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

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An eventful history<\/h2>\n

Yet it is those with a yearning to know how things came about historically who are particularly rewarded in Cortina d\u2018Ampezzo, for the pleasures are thereby deepened. Its history goes back a long way, to when megalodons were the masters of the tropical seas, to a time before the Dolomites had even formed. In the Paleontological Museum Rinaldo Zardini there is a rich collection of valuable Triassic fossils. Millions of years later this town was established through its trade in wood as well as by providing an important route traversing the Alps. When in 1511 Cortina d\u2018Ampezzo was incorporated into the Austro-Hungarian Empire where it was destined to remain for more than 400 years, a fascinating cultural agglomeration evolved here out of Ladin (in the Rhaeto-Romanche group), Tirolean and Italian traditions. These roots are visible in the city even today, evident in its customs, religion, language, cuisine and background teachings. That is something most enjoyably discovered on a stroll through town, in the churches, at El Cianpan\u00ecn (Cortina\u2019s bell tower), at the numerous museums, art galleries and city events. The historic finale of the monarchy can be experienced palpably on a wide variety of hikes, such as around Cinque Torri. The redoubts and embattled nests in the murderous defensive fronts of World War I from 1915 to 1917 remain examples without parallel of that cataclysm, when Austrians and Italians faced off against each other all around Col di Lana, the Tofane and the Lagazuoi, rising majestically above the Falzarego Pass. Special exhibitions and museums devoted to these events round out the historical records of the time and still move human memory.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

A strategically important location during World War I, the Falzarego Pass is now a favourite among cyclists and motorcyclists, with demanding climbs, hairpin bends, and breathtaking views.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sought-after star<\/h2>\n

And then, Cortina d\u2018Ampezzo rose like a phoenix out of the ashes: in the 1920s European aristocrats made skiing as a sport popular, spreading over Monte Faloria and the Tofane, while daredevil English mountain climbers were suddenly idealized role models. In the 1930s, writers followed in their footsteps, such as Hemingway who came here again and again in order to do research for his book \u201cA Farewell to Arms.\u201d Equally unforgettable, of course, were the movies that were shot here, such as \u201cThe Pink Panther\u201d (1963), the James Bond film \u201cFor Your Eyes Only\u201d (1981) or \u201cCliffhanger\u201d with Sylvester Stallone (1993). Today Cortina still serves up spellbinding settings for films and series as their shooting location, for example, the Netflix film \u201cMy Name is Vendetta\u201d, the series \u201cLift\u201d or the \u201cCinepanettone Cortina Express\u201d (2024). For all these reasons, it is no wonder that people from all over the world have made pilgrimages to Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo in order to experience for themselves these legendary sites and locations: the city centre, the train station, the Olympic Ice-Skating Stadium, the Tofane cablecar and lots more besides.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

The turquoise-blue natural gem Lago di Sorapis, featuring the striking rock formation known as the \u201cDito di Dio\u201d (Finger of God), is Tripadvisor\u2019s most popular excursion destination in Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo for 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pleasures without end<\/h2>\n

Yet without any doubt, it is sports which are most closely connected with Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo. In wintertime, skiers and snowboarders float atop the snow and zip down 120 superbly prepared ski runs, while cross-country fans power out their limits on about 70 km of skiing trails. Summer is played out under the aegis of golfers, hikers, climbers and mountainbikers, who spend both challenging and pleasurable days here. And speaking of pleasure: that peculiarly Italian feeling for good living, bursting with great food and \u2018la dolce vita\u2019 is just as integral a part of Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo as are the interiors of the places to enjoy them in, all of its venues bearing the stamp of local handcraftsmanship. Scores of restaurants draw together these worlds to perfection with their opulent offerings of fish and sea food, hearty and robust traditional dishes as well as the classical regional specialties, such as Casunziei \u2013 moon-shaped ravioli stuffed with red beets, melted butter and poppy seeds. Accompanying this gem are regional wines, homemade craft beer and other local specialties, invariably in a cosy traditional ambience. An additional facet helping visitors to immerse into the incomparable feeling-for-life in Cortina is on offer in more than 300 local shops in the vibrant and thriving city centre. A veritable cornucopia of age-old handicrafts, prestigious fashion labels, antiques and design trends makes eyes open wide and jaws drop. Our insider recommendation: the Shopping Centre Cooperativa has more than 4000 m\u00b2 of shops which proffer more than 100,000 different products for your delectation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

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Hotel-Tips in Cortina d’Ampezzo<\/h2>\n

Hotel Tofana Cortina***** (re-opened after renovation): www.hoteltofana-cortina.it<\/a>
\nFaloria*****: www.faloriasparesort.com<\/a>
\nHotel de LEN: www.hoteldelen.it<\/a>
\nEight Cortina: www.cortina.eighthotels.it<\/a>
\nC\u00e0mina Suite & Spa****: www.caminacortina.it<\/a>
\nLajadira Hotel & Spa****: www.hotellajadira.it<\/a>
\nGrand Hotel Savoia*****: www.grandhotelsavoiacortina.it<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

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Restaurant-Tips in Cortina d’Ampezzo<\/h2>\n

Alajmo Cortina
Ristorante Tivoli (1 Michelin-Star)
SanBrite (1 Michelin-Star)
Baita Fraina
Baita Pi\u00e8 Tofana<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span>

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