Badia (Abbey in English, Abtei in German and Badia in Ladino) is a municipality scattered in the countryside of the province of Bolzano, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Dolomites, on the edge of two natural parks Fanes-Senes-Braies and Puez-Odle. It is a predominantly rural looking town with picturesque landscapes and traditional masi (farms).
The town's name appears for the first time in 1325 and is linked, like its history, the Benedictine Abbey of Sonnenburg near Brunico, in the Valley of Pusteria.
La Villa (Stern in German, La Ila in Ladino) is a district of Badia, situated at the foot of the massif of the Gardenazza, an ideal starting point to reach the Natural Park of Fanes-Sennes-Braies. The old town is dominated by the ancient manor of Ciastel Colz.
Pedraces (Pedratsches in German, Pedraces in Ladino), is another village under the jurisdiction of Badia, that from a height of 1315 meters above sea level offers superb white ski slopes, ideal for Winter sports fans.
San Cassiano (Sankt Kassian in German, San Ćiascian in Ladino), with its breathtaking view, is an ideal destination both in the Winter as in the Summer, for lovers of mountain climbing and trekking.
Sites of Interest:
- Colz Castle, built in 1537, in Gothic style, with its cubic shape is surrounded by defensive walls and watchtowers. Inside it features spacious rooms embellished by frescoes and is considered one of the best preserved historic buildings in the whole Val Badia. At present it is a hotel;
- the Church of San Cassiano, located in the district with the same name, was built in 1782;
- the Church of Santa Maria, La Villa, originally built in 1516 and enlarged in subsequent years;
- the Shrine of the Holy Cross, situated at over 2000 meters above sea level; consecrated in 1484, has submitted several refurbishments in the later centuries: For a short period, desecrated, it was used as a sheepfold;
- the XVIII century Abbey, with its beautiful paintings preserved within.