Visit the crucifix of Sëurasas and the liddle
Church fo S. Giacomo.

   
The Church of Saint Giacomo, called the "dlieja da Sacun", which is situated just above Ortisei (reachable only on foot) is the oldest in the entire valley according to historic documents. It lies on the timeworn "Troi Paian" way which once connected Veneto with the nearby Isarco Valley through the Dolomite passes, crossed the Gardena Valley and bordered the then "Stetteneck Castle". So it is not mere coincidence that the church here was dedicated to Saint James, protec-tor of pilgrims. The origins go back to the 12th century, given the traces of a Romanesque building. However, the present style is Gothic, as objects in Gothic and Baroque style adorn the interior. In fact the Gothic frescoes in the presbytery are noteworthy and date back to the late 15th century. The same is true about the wall paintings near to the pulpit which have just been restored and they refer to the legend of Saint James. The main altar is a valid example of the local artistic sculpture, in Baroque style, with curved columns, and gilt representations of the leading figures of the church, of apostles and angels (by the Vinatzer-Pescosta Sons around 1750). Nowadays, the sculptures that are found in the church such as the various objects on the main altar are imitations made by local sculptors. But the precious originals may be viewed and admired at the Gardena Valley Museum at Ortisei.

S. Cristina, located in the middle of the valley near the ancient high- level track called Troi Paian, is the oldest parish in Val Gardena. A chapel dedicated to St. Cristina is thought to have stood here towards the end of the 12th century. Today all that remains of the Romanesque church, which is mentioned in a papal letter of 1342, is the wall of the bell-tower as far as the eaves. Later rebuilding and additional structures greatly changed the original character of the church. The choir was built in the Gothic period, and a polygonal charnel house was added in the 16th century. Other interesting features include the high altar surround, which was created around 1690 in the workshop of the famous Vinazer family of sculptors.

Another attractive sight is the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Rasciesa di Fuori (built in 1755), which occupies a panoramic location at an altitude of over 2,200 metres.

Castel Gardena ("Fischburg"), which straddles the territorial boundary between Selva Gardena and S. Cristina, was built as a summer castle and hunting lodge. Although Renaissance in style, its massive proportions are more reminiscent of the medieval art of fortification. The castle is not open to the public, but it is still worth the walk to see the building from the outside.

The Monte Pana Sundial is of great interest to all hobby astronomers and chronometry experts. This splendid example of a spherical equatorial sundial is made of iron, brass and gold and rests on a ten-ton pedestal of porphyry. The sundial itself has a diameter of two metres and shows the true time for S. Cristina and for another 6o cities throughout the world, as well as Central Euro-pean Time.