Museum Gherdëina
Museum of Val Gardena in the Cësa di Ladins in Ortisei, with wooden sculptures, toys, geology, archaeology and the Luis Trenker holdings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum Gherdëina was inaugurated on 6 August 1960 in the Cësa di Ladins, the cultural centre built in Ortisei by the Union di Ladins de Gherdëina for the five Ladin valleys of the Dolomites. The museum tells the natural and cultural history of Val Gardena and preserves the material memory of the valley.
The six sections are spread over two floors. The collection of wooden sculptures from the 16th to the 20th century includes works by the Vinazer dynasty, alongside paintings by local artists such as Josef Moroder-Lusenberg. A large section is dedicated to the typical wooden toys of Gardena, including the traditional dolls, and since 2025 a new interactive exhibition reconstructs the development of toy production from the 1830s to 2000, starting from a collection of around 8,000 original models donated by the firm Sevi.
The science sections present minerals and fossils from the Dolomites, including a large Triassic ichthyosaur found in 1968 on the Seceda, as well as the alpine fauna and flora. The archaeological section includes finds from the Stone Age and the Iron Age, among them the finds from Col de Flam. The museum also holds a collection and archive dedicated to Luis Trenker.
Highlights
- Wooden sculptures from the 16th to 20th century, including works by the Vinazer dynasty
- Interactive exhibition “Aus Holz wird Spiel” on Gardena wooden toys
- Triassic ichthyosaur found on the Seceda, with a virtual reality experience
- Archaeological finds from prehistory to the Iron Age
- Collection and archive on Luis Trenker
Permanent exhibitions
- Aus Holz wird Spiel – Dalla Val Gardena al mondo – Interactive exhibition on Gardena wooden toys from the 1830s to 2000, based on a collection of around 8,000 original models donated by the firm Sevi.
- Werke einer Welt – Presentation of the artworks in the museum’s collection, with an audio guide.
- Geologia e fossili delle Dolomiti – Section with minerals and fossils, including the Seceda ichthyosaur with a virtual reality experience.
- Founded
- 1960
- Operated by
- Museum Gherdëina (associazione culturale ladina, Union di Ladins de Gherdëina)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 9,523
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8people aged 65 and over, people with disabilities, groups of 10 people, conscientious objectors and civil service volunteers, holders of the Val Gardena Club Card, ICOM members |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 7 · Free admission for children under 8; families with children under 16: family ticket. |
| Seniors | €8Reduced rate from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €8 |
| Students & apprentices | €2.50Students under 26. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8 per personReduced rate for groups of 10 people; school classes €1.50 per person; group and class escorts enter free. Guided tours for groups in German and foreign languages on request, with a flat fee of €80 for up to 25 people. |
| Families | €20Family ticket: 2 adults with children under 16. |
| Mini family ticket (1 adult with children under 16) | €10 |
| School classes (per person) | €1.50 |
| Flat fee for a guided tour for groups of up to 25 people | €80On request. |
Free admission also for teachers preparing a lesson, members of the museum association and of the Union di Ladins de Gherdëina, licensed tour guides and mountain guides, ski instructors and journalists. Guests of some accommodation establishments in Val Gardena enter free with the Guest Pass (from 4 May 2026 to 31 March 2027).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 · Family ticket: 2 adults with children under 16. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The exhibition “Aus Holz wird Spiel” includes spaces to build, experiment and play for all ages; creative workshops and interactive activities are planned for children and young people.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione a valle della funivia per l'Alpe di Siusi
Bus stop at the valley station of the cable car to the Alpe di Siusi.
By car
Parking available
Car parks: Antoniusplatz (about 2 minutes on foot), Pana (about 3 minutes), Seceda (about 4 minutes) and the valley station of the cable car to the Alpe di Siusi (about 7 minutes).
From Innsbruck: A22 as far as Chiusa, then SS242 into Val Gardena. From Trento: A22 as far as Bolzano Nord, SS12 as far as Ponte Gardena and SS242 as far as Ortisei. The museum is in the centre of the village, in the Cësa di Ladins.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An audio guide for the exhibition “Werke einer Welt”, a virtual tour and a virtual reality experience with the Seceda ichthyosaur are available. For schools there are thematic tours (geology, archaeology, art, Luis Trenker) and interactive activities such as “Herzstücke” and “Puppen, Schaukelpferde und Hampelmänner”. |
