Description of the attraction
Vigo di Fassa, located in the center of the Italian Val di Fassa in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, surprisingly combines the status of a tiny village and one of the largest ski resorts in the Dolomites. It lies at the foot of the majestic Rosengarten massif on the right bank of the Avisio River. You can get here from the airports of Bolzano, Verona, Venice and the Austrian Innsbruck.
Today Vigo di Fassa offers excellent slopes not only for professional skiing, but also for beginners and even children. From the center of the town to the Ciampedie peak (2000 meters) there is a funicular that takes tourists to the beginning of many ski slopes, as well as to the “Baby Park” children's park. There are 16 km of trails for beginners and a 2-km Tomba track, which is aimed at experienced skiers and is named after the famous Italian sportsman Alberto Tomba.
The first documented mentions of Vigo di Fassa date back to the Middle Ages, when this town was the main religious and administrative center of the entire Val di Fassa valley. And archaeological finds allow us to say that the first inhabitants in these places appeared in the Paleolithic era. Until 1860, the local economy was based mainly on cattle breeding and agriculture, and with the advent of the first tourists from Austria, who were attracted by the mesmerizing landscapes and temperate climate, Vigo di Fassa began to develop as a resort. After the First World War, the city became part of Italy.
Despite the fact that in 1921 Vigo di Fassa was almost completely burned down during a major fire and was rebuilt, it has retained the unique atmosphere of a cozy alpine village. In the center of the town are the pretty churches of Santa Juliana and San Giovanni. The first is considered one of the oldest in Val di Fassa - it has been known since 1237 and is notable for its frescoes in the apse and an altar carved from wood. And the Gothic Church of San Giovanni, next to which stands a tall bell tower topped with a spire, was built in the 14th century. Special attention should be paid to the Ladinsky Museum, where you can get acquainted with legends and traditions from the history of the ancient Ladin people, and the local Institute of Culture, which studies the language and heritage of local ethnic groups. You can also visit the Monzoni Mineralogical Museum with one of the most complete mineral collections of the Dolomites and the Austrian-Hungarian cemetery.
