San Cassiano: Alpine Sweetness and Traces of Prehistory
San Cassiano (San Ćiascian in Ladin), located at an altitude of 1538 meters above sea level, is a small gem of the Alta Badia, surrounded by a spectacular natural amphitheater. The peaks of the Conturines, La Varella, Settsass, and Lagazuoi embrace the village, offering unforgettable panoramas and numerous opportunities for memorable high-altitude hikes.
Sport and Nature Between Summer and Winter
Despite its small size, San Cassiano is equipped with a modern cable car that can transport up to 3,000 people per hour, quickly connecting the town to the renowned ski areas of La Villa and Corvara. In winter, it is a popular destination for cross-country skiing, especially in the Armentarola area, which also transforms into a camping site and base for walks during the summer months.
The Museum Ladin Ursus Ladinicus: A Journey into Prehistory
An absolute gem of the area is the Museum Ladin Ursus Ladinicus, which houses the fossil remains of an ancient cave bear. The sensational discovery took place in 1987, when the alpine guide Willy Costamoling found over 60 skeletons of prehistoric bears in a cave on the Conturines, at an altitude of 2800 meters.
Subsequent analyses revealed that these remains belonged to a species previously unknown, named Ursus Ladinicus: a world-renowned discovery that you can now admire up close in this interactive museum filled with paleontological content.
