San Martino in Badia is the cultural centre of Val Badia. Its historical heritage, the medieval castle Ciastel de Tor -
since 2001 seat of the Museum Ladin – lies in the middle of an amazing nature, surrounded by the Dolomites. There is to get back into the prehistory of the region to find out when San Martino was built. Its name was mentioned for the first time in a document dated 1260 which says “vor der chirche zu sand Martin” (in front of the church of Sand Martin). Up to the 20th century the name “San Martin” referred actually to the church and to the few houses belonging to it and not to the whole village. In fact, in terms of administration, at these times there were only neighbourhoods depending from the court Thurn.
San Martino is famous for being the centre of the Ladin culture as it is the home of the Institute for Ladin Culture “Micurà de Rü” and of the Ladin Museum “Ciastel de Tor”, both working on the maintenance and promotion of the Ladin language and culture.
San Martino is nowadays the main village of the commune with numeral public infrastructures, such as the social district in Piccolino, the tourist office and all sorts of services (town hall, bank, post, pharmacy, ambulatory, veterinary, alpine rescue service, nursing home, schools, ect.). Furthermore, the important handcraft zone along the river Gader represents the economical development of the village. Even from a touristic point of view San Martino can pride oneself: its hospitality and its good Ladin cuisine are well known.
In winter San Martino is connected with the noted ski-area Plan de Corones and with the ski-area of Alta Badia/Sellaronda thanks to the new ski-lift in Piccolino and the bus service Piculin-Sompunt.
Even in the summer the unique mountain landscape enables a great number of hikes and of impressive experiences.
