Val Gardena: a valley shaped by art
Enes dl’Ert: a new festival celebrating tradition and contemporary creativity
Art and craftsmanship have been part of Val Gardena’s identity for centuries. The valley’s long tradition of woodcarving has been passed down from one generation to the next, earning Val Gardena a reputation far beyond the Dolomites. And the story continues today. In Ortisei, workshops, artists’ studios and galleries are part of a creative scene where traditional skills meet new ideas, materials and forms of expression.
UNIKA: meet the artists of Val Gardena
At the heart of this creative community is the UNIKA, an association that brings together artists and craftspeople from across Val Gardena and creates opportunities to share their work with a wider audience.
One of the highlights of the year is the UNIKA Art Fair, returning for its 32nd edition in 2026. From 10 to 13 September, Ortisei welcomes art lovers to discover around 200 works by 30 artists across more than 500 m² of exhibition space. Sculpture, painting and photography come together to offer a glimpse into the diversity of art being created in Val Gardena today.
The fair is also a chance to go beyond the finished work: to meet the artists themselves, hear about their ideas and gain a closer insight into their creative process.
New in 2026: Enes dl’Ert
September brings an exciting new addition to Val Gardena’s cultural calendar with the first edition of “Enes dl’Ert – art festiVal Gardena”, taking place from 7 to 20 September at different locations throughout the valley. Its name comes from Ladin, the Rhaeto-Romance language still spoken in Val Gardena today, and means “Weeks of Art.”
For two weeks, exhibitions, open studios, guided tours and workshops offer many different ways to experience the valley’s artistic world. Visitors can step inside the places where art is created, watch artists at work and, on some occasions, even have a go themselves.
A woodcarving workshop, for example, offers the chance to try one of Val Gardena’s most characteristic crafts first-hand. A guided walk through Ortisei explores how the village developed from a small rural community into an important centre for woodcarving and sculpture. From 14 to 19 September, young sculptors under the guidance of Peter Kostner will create a sacred figure using traditional local techniques. At the end of the project, the workshop will open its doors, inviting visitors to watch the artists at work.
And these are just a few of the experiences on offer during the two weeks.
→ Discover the full Enes dl’Ert programme
At the heart of this creative community is the UNIKA, an association that brings together artists and craftspeople from across Val Gardena and creates opportunities to share their work with a wider audience.
One of the highlights of the year is the UNIKA Art Fair, returning for its 32nd edition in 2026. From 10 to 13 September, Ortisei welcomes art lovers to discover around 200 works by 30 artists across more than 500 m² of exhibition space. Sculpture, painting and photography come together to offer a glimpse into the diversity of art being created in Val Gardena today.
The fair is also a chance to go beyond the finished work: to meet the artists themselves, hear about their ideas and gain a closer insight into their creative process.
New in 2026: Enes dl’Ert
September brings an exciting new addition to Val Gardena’s cultural calendar with the first edition of “Enes dl’Ert – art festiVal Gardena”, taking place from 7 to 20 September at different locations throughout the valley. Its name comes from Ladin, the Rhaeto-Romance language still spoken in Val Gardena today, and means “Weeks of Art.”
For two weeks, exhibitions, open studios, guided tours and workshops offer many different ways to experience the valley’s artistic world. Visitors can step inside the places where art is created, watch artists at work and, on some occasions, even have a go themselves.
A woodcarving workshop, for example, offers the chance to try one of Val Gardena’s most characteristic crafts first-hand. A guided walk through Ortisei explores how the village developed from a small rural community into an important centre for woodcarving and sculpture. From 14 to 19 September, young sculptors under the guidance of Peter Kostner will create a sacred figure using traditional local techniques. At the end of the project, the workshop will open its doors, inviting visitors to watch the artists at work.
And these are just a few of the experiences on offer during the two weeks.
→ Discover the full Enes dl’Ert programme
Discover another side of Val Gardena
September is a wonderful time to experience Ortisei and Val Gardena from a different perspective. There is more to the valley than hiking trails, mountains and the Dolomites: it is also home to a vibrant art scene with deep roots in local history and culture. It might be watching a sculptor at work, an unexpected conversation in an artist’s studio or a piece that simply catches your eye.
September is a wonderful time to experience Ortisei and Val Gardena from a different perspective. There is more to the valley than hiking trails, mountains and the Dolomites: it is also home to a vibrant art scene with deep roots in local history and culture. It might be watching a sculptor at work, an unexpected conversation in an artist’s studio or a piece that simply catches your eye.