Laion and its hamlets
Original, with excellent views, a place where life slows down – these are Laion’s seven dwarfs. In these small hamlets, it feels as though the clocks tick that little bit slower. Here, each locality has its own character. They share only the tranquillity far away from hustle and bustle, their pleasant manageable size and easy accessibility for day trips in the Dolomites.
890 M
Albions
Albions has also retained its original rural character. The gothic chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas and St. George with its impressive winged altar is an art-historical treasure. You’ll also discover a very deep drawing well there and the oldest sweet chestnut in Europe on the hiking path to Chiusa.
1.182 M
Tanurza
Tanurza is a hamlet with 65 inhabitants, rustic farmhouses and a fantastic view of the Sciliar and Sasso Lungo. The chapel dedicated to St. Bartholomew is considered to be the oldest church in the Laion region. Between the church and the sexton’s house is an ancient walnut tree, which is a protected natural monument.
760 M
Ried
Ried is a scattered settlement surrounded by vineyards and chestnut groves, and is the birthplace of the minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide. The village is also well-known for its delicacies. This is where, in autumn, people meet up in the farmers’ wine taverns and parlours for the traditional feast of “Törggelen”.
1.108 M
Fraina
With 45 inhabitants, Fraina is the smallest locality of the mountain village Laion in Italy. This beautiful hamlet is made up of individual scattered farms and impresses with its view over the little artist town of Chiusa and the Sabiona Monastery. The chapel of St. John the Baptist has many frescos and is a worth a trip.
1.229 M
Ceves
Ceves is a small village offering splendid panoramic views. It consists of almost a dozen farms nestled together, giving the hamlet its picturesque character. On the steeply ascending village square in Ceves, the tiny St. Jacob and St. Valentine chapel is located.
1.211 M
St. Peter
St. Peter is located just outside St. Ulrich (Ortisei) in Val Gardena and is the second largest parish in the municipality after Laion. Its landmark, St. Peter’s Parish Church, with its recognisable baroque red onion dome, can be seen from a long way off. The Poststeig trail also passes through here, as do many paths that lead up to the Rasciesca high alp.
1.100 M
Laion
Laion is the main village in the municipality and is situated on a sun plateau above the entry to Val Gardena. The parish church, called the “Dom am Berg” (“cathedral on the mountain”) due to its considerable size, can be seen from miles away. The Dorfplatz, with its cosy restaurants and bars, is an inviting place to while away your time under the even older Church of Our Lady.