THEin Val Gardena, Alto Adige, boasts strong and deep cultural roots. The genius loci of Ortisei is the tradition of wood sculpture. In distant times, during the long winters, farmers carved wooden toys. Then in spring the work journey of the street vendors from Val Gardena began, who set off on foot to Austria and Germany with panniers full of natural or painted wooden horses and other toys on their shoulders.
The tourism that has made the South Tyrolean valleys rich has not erased the art of the Val Gardena craftsmen-artists who work wood only with chisel and mallet, as always.
The craftsmen-sculptors of Ortisei
George Demetz Pilat (demetz-georg.it) belongs to a family with a long tradition of wooden sculpture. In his laboratory in Ortisei gives life to large nativity scenes carved in stone pinetrue works of art commissioned from all over the world, the creation of which requires more than five months of work. Through the accurate modeling of faces and clothing, the “master sculptor” with his tools gives character and distinctive features to his characters. The works of Georg Demetz da Pilat can also be admired in the heart of Ortisei, at the Art 52 space (art52.itfree entry 9am-10pm) together with those of 54 other exhibitors who, with different styles, renew the tradition.
The master sculptor George Demetz Pilat, at work in his workshop in Ortisei.
The youngest artist in the valley is Isaak Demetz, 22 years old (isaakdemetz.com) which creates articulated mannequins for art schools and statues with religious subjectscommissioned by the churches of the region. One of his Madonnas flew to the United States. «I always saw my father sculpt and paint. I also wanted to do something “with my hands”. This is a difficult job, you never stop learning, perfecting yourself. There are very few young sculptors, so it is a profession that has a future” says Isaak with satisfaction.
Isaak Demetz, 22 years old, the youngest sculptor from Ortisei.
Judith’s dolls
Judith Sotriffer’s wooden Gardanese dolls are also entirely handmade (groednerpuppe.comvia Tresval, ss242 km13 Ortisei). His large work table, which takes light from a large skylight, could be surrounded by Santa Claus’s hard-working elves at night. The atmosphere is fairy-tale, but there is only her, Judith, at work, in the company of articulated wooden dolls of all sizes, Pinocchios, bunnies, and trouble-making characters, protagonists of children’s books. In the age of speed and disposable, the secret of these refined toys is the care and time taken to build them. And if the doll breaks, Judith is ready to fix it. «A little girl, until the repair was completed, came to the laboratory every day. Then he invariably went to pick up his “sick” doll: without “her” he couldn’t sleep in the evening.”
Judith Sotriffer with her Garda dolls, which she makes entirely by hand.
A tradition, that of wooden dolls from Garda, which in the 19th century marked an unparalleled export boom. They were Queen Victoria’s favorite dolls, still kept today in Buckingham Palace in London.
The art of the “dressed” Nativity scene
Attention to detail and high craftsmanship also characterize the Nativity scene shepherds made in the Original Heide laboratory (originalheide.com, Pontives-Sud, 12, Laion) founded in 1970 by Heinrich Demetz and his wife Mariarosa. While father Heinrich is focused on sculpting the large figures that will be exhibited in 2027 in the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, his three children – Romina, Ivonne and Gerald – carry on the large family-run workshop. Ivonne makes the costumes and drapes them over the wooden figurines. Romina paints their faces, Gerald sculpts the precious figurines. Don’t miss the Heidi Nativity Museum, open all year round, a truly special destination during the Christmas period to admire 50 beautiful nativity scenes, the work of German, Austrian and Italian artists.
Ivonne Demez takes care of making the costumes for the Nativity scene figurines in the Original Heide workshop in Ortisei.
A nativity scene in wood and fabric, created by the Original Heide laboratory in Ortisei. ©AlexFilz
Waiting for Christmas
During the Advent weeks in Ortisei you can breathe a festive air among the Christmas market, decorated fir trees, hotels dressed in lights. Beyond the commercial aspect, the attachment to traditions is tangible: every local family gets together to prepare Christmas biscuits and typical dried fruit-based desserts that decorate the windows of pastry shops and bakeries: strollen.
The center of Ortisei and the Christmas Market.
In the markets, hunting for gifts
The elegant shops of Ortisei are perfect for looking for Christmas gifts. The articles from sports shops are beautiful and useful, where you can buy technical gloves and under gloves, socks and anti-cold hats.
The Christmas market in Selva di Val Gardena, decorated with small cable car cabins.
Then just enter a supermarket (the well-stocked one in Selva opposite the Christmas Market in Piazza Nives) to go home loaded like Santa Claus and set the festive table with the agri-food excellences of South Tyrol: speck, cheeses, apples, wines and bread. In the cart you will also find all kinds of dumplings, honey, Tyrolean sweets and everything you need to prepare biscuits flavored with ginger and cinnamon. Impossible to resist…
A view of Selva di Val Gardena,
Then on December 31st, in Ortisei we celebrate with the New Year’s Torchlight Procession of the Ortisei Ski School (6.15 pm – Palmer slope), followed by a drone show. It’s not over: white ice sculptures will be created from 19 to 24 January 2026using 600 rectangular ice blocks (16x16x80cm), hammers, chisels as well as chainsaws. The Tourist Association of Ortisei, in collaboration with expert artists and curators, will give life to auan exhibition and open sky in the pedestrian area of the town. The theme of this edition is obvious… “Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026”, anticipating the big event that will take place a few weeks later.
Where to sleep in Ortisei
Hotel Adler Dolomitesvia Rezia, 7, Ortisei. In the heart of Ortisei, a few steps from the Christmas Market, the five-star hotel with swimming pools and spa welcomes guests in an elegant and luxurious environment. Surrounded by the spectacular panorama of the Dolomites, it offers the fusion of tradition and modernity, with a large wellness and relaxation area and gourmet cuisine that enhances local flavours. Excellent breakfast.
Hotel Cosmea DolomitesStrada Setil 1, Ortisei. Strategic position for both the facilities and the town center for this 4-star hotel with a modern design.
Where to eat
Cascade Restaurant, cascade.bz, via Promenade 1, Ortisei. Traditional dishes on the menu: Variety of local Alpine cheeses with farmer’s mostada, Gardena barley soup, Tyrolean crescents stuffed with spinach and ricotta, apple fritters.
Snetonstube, sneton.itvia Sneton, 26, Ortisei. Warm welcome in a historic stube. On the menu: Salad of cabbage, speck and cumin, Trio of dumplings, Spelled maltagliati with roe deer ragout, and a very tender beef goulash.
Checco’s restaurantvia Rezia, 185 Ortisei. A cuisine where South Tyrolean tradition is reinterpreted with contemporary touches. Must try: Chestnut gnocchi with cheese and truffle fondue, Pork ribs with home made BBQ sauce. Braised lamb shank.
Shopping
The Speck FarmRezia street, 165, titospeck.it Elegant “shop” where you can buy speck, cheeses and many delicacies “made in Alto Adige” to bring to the table for the holidays.
Info
With Val Gardena Guest Passwhich is provided by the accommodation facilities participating in the initiative, you travel for free on public transport in South Tyrol.