A Walk into Town

Cortina…pedestrian walkway. The golden color of some of the buildings indicates a shift in culture from the greater Tyrolean influence in the towns to the west. This town feels more Italian, although there is certainly a mix of styles. The church tower has straight sloping sides rather than the onion-shaped variety in Tyrolean towns.

You would think after a long hike in the higher altitudes that I would have been ready for a rest, but I wanted to see Cortina, and I needed to find a bank to replenish my Euros. Directly behind the back lawn of my little hotel there was a bike/hiking trail (paved) that led into the downtown with a 10-minute walk. I went for a stroll.

I walked up the sloping lawn of the quaint Hotel Menardi (which I highly recommend).

Here I hopped onto the bike path. This path is a old rail line that has been transformed into a greenway. It goes for miles and miles in each direction. Speaking of rails, Cortina eliminated its trains and train station years ago. Public transportation to and from the city is only by bus.

I got an intimate view of people’s houses and yards as I walked along.

Before I hit the pedestrian zone there was a tiny little park with this small fountain.

For the first time on this trip I passed frescoed walls, so Italian.

I stopped in at the church where the organist was practicing. It was wonderful to hear the powerful sounds resounding through the church.

Several mountain bikers made their way home through the pedestrian zone late in the day.

Standing outside the Cooperativa, the big store in Cortina.

A colorful house, “Ciasa” (chyaza) is house in Ladin.

These banners represent the various allegiances of the people in this region. From Left to Right:

the flags of Veneto (state), Italy, the European Union, and the Ladin people.

Sun sets on the rooftops of Cortina.

On the way back to the hotel the surrounding mountains are lit with late afternoon Alpenglow.

So glad to be back for the night at my Cortina home, Hotel Menardi.