The soul of Cortina and its traditions have been shaped over time, at the crossroads between North and South, between the Alps and the Mediterranean.
The unique character of Cortina is born from the meeting of different habits, traditions, cultures, and civilizations, creating a destination with many identities. The Queen of the Dolomites is Ladin, Italian, northern, alpine, Venetian, and cosmopolitan all at once. The soul of Cortina is a fusion of experiences, sensations, colors, and flavors.
Tyrolean, Venetian, Italian, and international cuisine all find their place in Cortina’s restaurants. These establishments are renowned for the quality of their dishes, the creativity of their combinations, and the use of genuine, natural ingredients — each with its own story. This is also part of Cortina’s soul: taste, elegance, and refinement.
Artisan craftsmanship is another source of pride for this mountain destination, where the beauty of wood, wrought iron, and glass has long been an essential part of everyday life. The charm of traditional textiles, the elegance of the Ampezzo costume, and the beauty of handcrafted jewelry further enrich Cortina’s cultural identity.
A true Queen among the Dolomites, Cortina stands out for its strong character and vibrant soul, proudly rooted between northern and Mediterranean worlds.
In the soul of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the deep roots of tradition intertwine. Among the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, these traditions gracefully endure through time, passed down from generation to generation.
Between mountains that touch the sky and forests that guard ancient stories, there lies an essence of magic and beauty — one that nourishes the soul of those who come to discover it.
In the valleys of the Dolomites, the soul of Cortina unfolds like an ancient story. Between historic celebrations and traditional village festivals, local customs weave together past and present.
Every ritual, every event, every song connects generations to the roots of this land. Here, traditions shine through time, preserving the authentic spirit of Cortina.
The windows of the Comun Vècio in Cortina begin to open one by one, revealing backlit images dedicated to Christmas. The installations remain visible until December 25, creating a magical festive atmosphere in the heart of town.
At dusk, children gather near the Basilica of Saints Philip and James, along Corso Italia in the center of Cortina, awaiting the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who brings small gifts and sweets.
Horned devils with bells accompany Saint Nicholas and his Angels. Their masks are handcrafted with great care, made from wood and hides, and finished with hand-painted details — a striking and fascinating tradition.
The Sestieri d’Ampezzo are not just a tradition, but a living part of Cortina’s social fabric. During Carnival, the six districts compete in a cross-country skiing challenge, bringing excitement and local pride to the snow.
The streets of Cortina come alive with stalls selling local delicacies, clothing, and handmade goods. In the afternoon, the six Sestieri compete in traditional games, including running races, tug of war, and log cutting.
A full week dedicated to music, organized by the Cortina Music Band. Concerts and parades fill the town, culminating in a grand final performance where all participating bands come together for a spectacular closing concert.
In Ampezzo cuisine, Knödel (bread dumplings) and Spätzle (green dumplings) live alongside polenta, sausage, pastin, and fresh pasta, which gives life to local specialties such as the traditional casunziei.
Alongside ingredients that grow even at high altitude, another distinctive feature is the use of products that arrive from the sea. This creates a unique culinary balance, where the flavors of red beets — found in the filling of casunziei — barley — used in the traditional soup enriched with chives and pieces of meat — and rye — whose flour, combined with wild fennel, gives puccia its unmistakable aroma — coexist with the classic Italian trio of basil, mozzarella, and tomato.
And then come the desserts: from strudel to Kaiserschmarrn, from Sacher cake to the classic apple pie, from cream-filled krapfen to nighele, the traditional Carnival doughnuts of Cortina, served without filling.
The soul of Cortina d’Ampezzo is also reflected in the work of its master artisans. Here, traditional techniques and manual skills have been passed down through generations, giving life to unique creations that embody the spirit of the mountains.
The tradition of wrought iron produces timeless works. Whether solid sculptures or refined interior decorations, local artisans demonstrate remarkable craftsmanship, transforming metal into beauty. Glassmaking, in turn, draws on northern European techniques to create masterpieces of transparency, light, and color.
Eastern influences can also be found in Tar-Kashi, a precious and meticulous wood inlay technique of Indian origin, which has become an integral part of Ampezzo craftsmanship.
Beyond showcasing local artistry and skill, Cortina’s handcrafted objects also make meaningful souvenirs — allowing visitors to take home a piece of the authentic soul of this fascinating alpine destination.
Among the wonders of Cortina is also the elegance of traditional dress, in its variations: ra Magnes, ra Jàida, ra Varnaza and a ra Vecia. They all have some common features: the black skirt made of heavy, warm fabric sewn to a sleeveless corset, a colorful silk apron with ever-changing and bright patterns.
Ra Magnes. Women add a ruffled jacket at the shoulders, embellished with satin and, at the neckline, a hand-embroidered tulle. To complement this, a black hat with ostrich feathers and ribbons running down the back.
Ra Jàida. This variation features a black Mandarin-style jacket with a masculine-style buttoning and a striped apron, creating a refined and elegant appearance.
Ra Varnaza The colorful silk apron is paired with a fringed handkerchief to rest on the shoulders. The white short-sleeved blouse is embellished with lace and ribbons.
Ra Vecia. The oldest version of the Ampezzo dress, dating back to the 18th century, has several fabric overlays. White long-sleeved shirt with mandarin collar, half sleeves in worked fabric, and bodice with “v” neckline covered by rigid embroidered fabric. A red cloth jacket and a black top hat with ribbon dangling on the left complete the ensemble.
Jewelry to wear, to pin on the dress or hair, is passed down from generation to generation. They are precious creations, some filigree and handmade, with delicate movement effects.
While walking through Cortina d’Ampezzo, you may notice a colorful flag waving from balconies and buildings. It is the Ladin flag, one of the most meaningful symbols of the cultural identity of the Dolomites.
Its origins date back to May 5, 1920, when representatives of the five Ladin valleys gathered at Passo Gardena to protest the decisions of the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which did not recognize the Ladin people’s right to self-determination. On that occasion, the flag with horizontal stripes in light blue, white, and green appeared for the first time and was later proclaimed the official flag of the Ladin people.
The colors reflect the landscape of the Dolomites: green for the meadows and forests, white for the snow-covered peaks, and light blue for the alpine sky. Later, a six-pointed star was added, representing the six main Ladin valleys: Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Livinallongo, Ampezzo, and Fodom.
During the Fascist period, the flag was declared illegal by the regime. However, it returned to wave on July 14, 1946, at Passo Sella, during a large gathering attended by around 3,000 Ladins — marking the rebirth of the region’s cultural identity.
Today, the Ladin flag remains a strong presence in local life. You can see it on mountain huts, historic buildings, artisan shops, and during traditional events, where it proudly represents the history and identity of the Dolomites’ Ladin communities.
In Cortina, an important role in preserving the Ladin language and culture is also played by ULd’A – Union de i Ladis d’Anpezo, an association that promotes cultural initiatives, events, and activities dedicated to enhancing Ladin identity in Cortina.
Living according to the Regole d’Ampezzo means embracing the origins of an ancient institution — a unique, indivisible, and inalienable heritage that still defines the identity of Cortina today.
The Regole d’Ampezzo are a traditional system through which forests and pastures are collectively owned by the original community of Cortina. This institution has ancient roots, consolidated during the Lombard invasions, when the concept of clan-based ownership was introduced to the Ampezzo Valley. From that moment, forests and pastures became collective property, and the Regole developed into a closed community.
From the 6th century AD, customs gradually formed and later evolved into statutes, defining three major associations: Ambrizola, with pastures on the right side of the Boite River; Lareto, on the left side; and the Vinigo consorts in the Felizon Valley.
Between the 14th and 15th centuries the first Laudi, the written collections of Regole customs, were compiled. The lands of the Regole could not be sold nor could they undergo a change of use. They are and remain a co-owned natural, cultural and economic heritage to be passed on to heirs.
The Regole to date manage about 16,000 hectares of forest and, among their goals, are the preservation of Ampezzo’s language, culture and traditions. The Regoliero Institute is recognized by the law of the Italian state.
Cortina and Anpezo: The Soul of the Queen of the Dolomites
Cortina, the Queen of the Dolomites, thrives on the dialogue between North and South, the Alps and the Mediterranean. Its traditions, its cuisine, its languages, its history, its craftsmen are witnesses to this encounter.
Along the Munich-Venice route, the Ampezzo Valley distant from the city on the water and Innsbruck equally two and a half hours. Alpine culture and lagoon and Mediterranean influences speak to each other, achieving results of beauty possible, thus, only here.
A journey that moves from sea to hills, from valleys to mountain peaks, until reaching the highest summits of the Dolomites.
Cortina, the Queen of the Dolomites, thrives on the dialogue between North and South, the Alps and the Mediterranean. Its traditions, its cuisine, its languages, its history, its craftsmen are witnesses to this encounter.
Along the Munich-Venice route, the Ampezzo Valley distant from the city on the water and Innsbruck equally two and a half hours. Alpine culture and lagoon and Mediterranean influences speak to each other, achieving results of beauty possible, thus, only here.
A journey that moves from sea to hills, from valleys to mountain peaks, until reaching the highest summits of the Dolomites.
Become part of the magic of Cortina. Sign up for our newsletter today!
The adventure don’t end here. Do you follow us?
Become part of the magic of Cortina. Sign up for our newsletter today!
The adventure don’t end here. Do you follow us?
