The village of S. Cristina

once		nowadays

Santa Cristina, the smallest village of the Gardena valley, lies at an altitude of 1428 m above sea level and has about 1760 inhabitants. Ladin is the mother tongue of more than 80% of the population. Together with the neighbouring villages Selva and Ortisei, S. Cristina gives place to a marvellous ski- and hiking paradise in the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Near tourism also agriculture and handcrafts are the most important economic pillars. The famous wood carving of Val Gardena has a very long tradition.
The landscape of the village is marked by the church with its Gothic bell-tower. The most important cultural institutions (i.g. primary school, middle- school, library, theatre-hall and gym), Town Hall and tourist information office are situated close to the church.
The first settlements on the sunny slopes of Santa Cristina date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Already in documents belonging to the 12th century, the chapel consecrated to Saint Christine is mentioned. Starting from 1418 Santa Cristina formed the religious centre of the valley for a long period of time. Economic progress, at first very modest, is connected with the starting of tourism in the second half of the 18th century. After World War II Santa Cristina has developed to a well-known and popular tourist village, which nowadays counts 2.800 beds and about 300.000 stays yearly.
Thanks to perseverance and hard working, the inhabitants of Santa Cristina have managed to reach a modest welfare.