Cortina d’Ampezzo Walk Tour | Future Olympic City 2026 in the Italian Alps

Cortina d’Ampezzo Walk Tour | Future Olympic City 2026 in the Italian Alps

Hello everyone, welcome to our walk through Cortina d’Ampezzo. This mountain town will proudly host the Winter Olympics in 2026. Cortina also hosted the Winter Olympics back in 1956, a historic
event. Let us now discover its rich history, culture, and mountain heritage. Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in the Ampezzo Valley in northern Italy. The valley was settled in prehistoric times, with evidence of early
hunters. During the Middle Ages, Cortina was part of the Patriarchate of
Aquileia. In 1420, the Republic of Venice gained control over the Ampezzo
valley. Cortina remained under Venetian rule until the fall of the Republic in
1797. After 1797, Cortina passed under Austrian Habsburg rule. In 1806, the Ampezzo valley was briefly included in Napoleon’s Kingdom
of Italy. By 1814, Austria regained control over the valley and retained it for
a century. Cortina’s people spoke Ladin, a Romance language distinct from
Italian. The Ladin culture still influences local traditions, folklore, and
place names. In 1915, during World War I, Cortina was on the Austro-Italian front
line. Heavy battles took place in nearby mountains such as Lagazuoi and
Cinque Torri. Italian troops advanced into the Ampezzo valley in 1915. After the war, in 1918, Cortina was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. World War I left tunnels, trenches, and fortifications in the
Dolomites. The Lagazuoi tunnels are preserved today as a historical open-air
museum. In 1923, Cortina officially became part of the Province of Belluno,
Veneto. Tourism began developing in Cortina in the late 19th century. Rail connections brought more visitors to the Dolomites in the 20th
century. In 1932, Cortina hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships. The championships returned in 1941 and again in 2021. Cortina’s 1956 Winter Olympics were the first broadcast on television
worldwide. The Soviet Union made its Winter Olympic debut in Cortina in 1956. Italian skier Giuliana Minuzzo gave the Olympic Oath, the first woman
ever to do so. The Games featured speed skating, ice hockey, skiing, and bobsleigh
events. The Olympic Ice Stadium was built in 1956 and remains in use today. The Cortina bobsleigh track was used for decades but later abandoned. The Games introduced the Olympic Anthem as a permanent tradition. Bobsleigh legend Eugenio Monti of Cortina became a symbol of
sportsmanship. Monti later won the Pierre de Coubertin medal for fair play in the
Olympics. The town became a famous ski resort after the success of the 1956
Games. Luxury hotels and chalets grew around Corso Italia, Cortina’s main
street. Corso Italia remains the town’s elegant pedestrian boulevard with
boutiques. Cortina’s bell tower of 1858 is its most recognizable landmark. The Basilica of Saints Philip and James stands beside the bell tower. The Regole d’Ampezzo is a unique ancient institution of communal land
rights. The Regole manages forests, pastures, and water resources since
medieval times. Wood carving has been a traditional craft in Cortina for centuries. The Mario Rimoldi Modern Art Museum displays works of 20th-century
Italian painters. Cortina was part of Austria until World War I and retains Tyrolean
influences. During Habsburg rule, Cortina developed alpine tourism and winter
sports. After annexation to Italy, Cortina became a bridge between cultures. In 1960, Cortina hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup for the first
time. The Olympia delle Tofane slope became a classic World Cup downhill
course. Cortina regularly hosts women’s World Cup skiing events each January. The 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships were hosted successfully
here. Tofana di Mezzo is one of the peaks dominating Cortina’s skyline. Monte Cristallo is another major Dolomite massif near the town. Cinque Torri, the Five Towers, were fortified during World War I
battles. The Great War open-air museum at Cinque Torri preserves wartime
history. The Dolomites were named after geologist Déodat de Dolomieu in the
18th century. The unique pale limestone mountains are famous for the phenomenon of
enrosadira. Enrosadira describes the pink glow on peaks at sunrise and sunset. The Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. Cortina is part of the Dolomiti Superski network, created in the
1970s. Dolomiti Superski is one of the largest ski circuits in the world. The local cuisine reflects Venetian, Tyrolean, and Ladin influences. Traditional dishes include casunziei all’Ampezzana, beet-filled
ravioli. Polenta and game stews are staples of Cortina’s mountain cuisine. The smoked ham speck is another regional delicacy served in Cortina. Cortina’s architecture blends Tyrolean chalets with Italian elegance. Historic tabià barns once stored hay and are preserved in the valley. The town hosts fashion and cultural events attracting celebrities. Cortina has appeared in films such as For Your Eyes Only (1981). The Pink Panther (1963) also filmed iconic scenes in Cortina. The Dolomites were a key front in World War I between Italy and
Austria-Hungary. Remains of trenches and artillery positions can still be seen today. The Lagazuoi cable car gives access to historic war sites and
panoramic views. Passo Falzarego nearby was a strategic point during World War I. Passo Giau is a mountain pass offering breathtaking panoramic scenery. Lago di Sorapiss, near Cortina, is famous for its turquoise waters. Lago Federa reflects Croda da Lago in its calm alpine waters. The Croda da Lago group is one of the most scenic Dolomite massifs. Rifugi, or alpine huts, have served travelers in the Dolomites for
centuries. The tradition of rifugi dates back to shepherd shelters and alpine
inns. Cortina’s population is about 6,000 residents, growing in peak tourist
seasons. The Ampezzo dialect mixes Italian with Ladin and German words. Saint Philip and Saint James are the patron saints of Cortina. The feast day of Cortina’s saints is celebrated annually in May. Cortina’s economy was once based on mining and forestry before
tourism. The town’s crafts include woodworking, embroidery, and traditional
dress. Cortina hosted the 1981 World Championships in bobsleigh. The town is preparing for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Cortina will host alpine skiing, curling, and bobsleigh events in
2026. The opening ceremony will be in Milan, while Cortina will host
competitions. The 2026 Games aim to reuse venues to reduce environmental impact. Environmental sustainability is a key theme of the 2026 Olympics. The Ampezzo Dolomites Natural Park protects the local environment. The park is home to chamois, marmots, and golden eagles. Cortina’s forests include larch and spruce, turning golden in autumn. Enrosadira is considered a magical symbol of the Dolomites. Alpinism in the Dolomites developed in the 19th century with British
climbers. Via ferrata climbing routes date to World War I soldiers’ paths. Cortina offers access to famous via ferrata like Ivano Dibona. The Freccia nel Cielo cable car connects Cortina to Tofana di Mezzo. Cortina hosted snowboarding and freestyle skiing World Cup events. The Cortina Curling Club is one of the strongest in Italy. Curling became popular in Italy after the 1956 Olympics in Cortina. The town continues to attract winter sports enthusiasts worldwide. Cortina’s culture mixes Alpine traditions with Italian sophistication. Wooden balconies with flowers decorate traditional alpine houses. Local legends tell of mountain spirits inhabiting Dolomite peaks. The Dolomites were once coral reefs in a prehistoric tropical sea. Marine fossils can still be found in the limestone of the Dolomites. The Dolomites are also called the Pale Mountains for their light
color. Cortina’s alpine meadows are full of wildflowers in spring and summer. Hiking trails from Cortina connect to the famous Alta Via routes. Alta Via 1 passes through some of the Dolomites’ most scenic terrain. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, near Cortina, are iconic Dolomite peaks. Cortina hosted stages of the Giro d’Italia cycling race. The Tour of Italy often features Dolomite climbs near Cortina. Cortina’s churches contain baroque and Tyrolean artistic elements. The town preserves archives of its Regole, centuries-old statutes. The Regole system is unique in Italy for its medieval communal rights. Traditional festivals feature costumes, music, and dances. The Ampezzo valley became Italian after World War I in 1918. The town’s history still reflects its Austrian past in architecture. Cortina was cut off during winters before modern roads were built. Ski lifts and cable cars transformed tourism after World War II. In the 1930s, Cortina was already visited by European royals. The Dolomites’ dramatic peaks inspired many painters and writers. Today, Cortina is known both as a sports hub and luxury resort.

Welcome to Cortina d’Ampezzo – the jewel of the Italian Alps and the proud host of the Winter Olympic Games 2026.
Filmed on August 6, 2025, this walking tour takes you through the charming alpine town, surrounded by the majestic Dolomites.

Stroll along picturesque streets, admire traditional mountain houses, and feel the unique atmosphere of a city that blends sports, history, and breathtaking landscapes. Cortina is not only a future Olympic hub but also one of the most beautiful mountain resorts in Europe.

📍 Practical Tips for Visitors:

🚗 Parking: One of the best options is the central Parcheggio Largo Poste, which is close to the pedestrian area and main attractions.

🚠 Don’t miss the cable cars to Tofana and Faloria – they offer breathtaking views over the Dolomites.

🍝 Try local alpine cuisine: polenta, cheese specialties, and homemade pasta.

🏔 Perfect base for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

📍 Location: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
🎥 Filmed: 06 August 2025

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this immersive walking experience in 4K.