La Villa, also known as La Lla in the Ladin language, is in the centre of Alta Badia at an altitude of 1,483 metres.
At the foot of mounts Piz la Lla and Gardenaccia, surrounded by the Puez Odle and Fanes Sennes Braies natural parklands, this village boasts a breath-taking view over the Sas dla Crusc, Lavarella and Conturines peaks.
In summertime La Villa, surrounded by verdant meadows against a mountain backdrop, is the ideal starting point for gentle walks or more strenuous hikes to the many refuges among the Dolomite peaks. It is also home to the world’s most famous long-distance (gran fondo) bike race the Maratona dles Dolomites, in which every year over 9,000 cyclists from all over the world face up to the challenges of the Campolongo, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Giau, Valparola and Falzarego passes. The route can also be followed by keen amateur cyclists.
La Villa is also the ideal place to buy local arts and crafts and for spending convivial evenings in company.
The wintertime link between San Cassiano and Corvara, from La Villa it is possible to reach all the pistes of Alta Badia, the Dolomiti Superski area and the ski tour of Sellaronda. La Villa also hosts the international event, the Alpine Ski World Cup that, ever since 1985, has been attracting all the giant slalom champions to the Gran Risa piste. The ideal challenge for the bravest skiers, the Gran Risa, a black piste, can be skied all winter long.
Well worth a visit in La Villa is the Ciastel Colz, a stately home built around 1500 in Renaissance Gothic style, called by the locals “La Gran Ciasa” (the big house), its majestic beauty towers over the village.
