San Giovanni di Fassa: a crossroads of nature and history

In the heart of Val di Fassa, surrounded by the splendor of the Dolomites, lies one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: San Giovanni di Fassa, in the province of Trento. Let’s take a look at the main attractions this village has to offer!

The unspoiled village of San Giovanni di Fassa

The municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa was established on January 1, 2018, from the merger of two towns, which today form its main hamlets: Pozza di Fassa and Vigo di Fassa.

Pozza di Fassa is the perfect destination for snow lovers: it is home to the Aloch slope of the Ski Stadium Val di Fassa, very popular among skiers. The slope is also illuminated at night, perfect for skiing under the starry sky. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, the Ciancoal trail is ideal, and it too is equipped with night lighting.

Beyond snowy landscapes, Pozza di Fassa also offers the San Nicolò Valley, once used by locals for seasonal storage, haymaking, and alpine pastures. Visitors can admire the Sassolungo mountains and the bell towers of Larsech. The area also features a sulfurous spring, known since medieval times and used to treat pulmonary and skin diseases. Pozza is also home to the only fortification in the valley: La Torn (the tower), now a private residence.

Vigo di Fassa boasts a rich history and many cultural attractions: it was one of the first tourist centers in Val di Fassa and for centuries served as its administrative, religious, political, and civic capital. From Vigo, one can reach all the Dolomite peaks of Fassa, including Marmolada, Catinaccio, Sella, and Latemar.

The two symbols of the village are the Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista (from which the municipality takes its name) and the Church of Santa Giuliana, a true sanctuary.

The Parish Church, with its 67-meter-high bell tower, dates back to the late 15th century and is considered the “mother church” of the valley. Built in Alpine Gothic style, it was the religious center of the community. Beneath the church lies the War Cemetery, where the remains of 663 soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, fallen during World War I, are buried.

The Church of Santa Giuliana is one of the oldest buildings in the valley (its origins date back to 1237) and stands on the prehistoric cult site of Ciaslìr. Next to it is the Chapel of San Maurizio, probably the oldest religious building in the valley.

Visiting Vigo also means discovering more about Ladin culture and language, spoken in parts of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. Not by chance, the municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa is also known as Sèn Jan in Ladin. At the Museo Ladin de Fascia, visitors can explore ethnographic collections of the Istitut Cultural Ladin, which preserve the history of the area and its linguistic and cultural heritage.

Thus, San Giovanni di Fassa is an unspoiled village, ideal both for those who love high-altitude natural beauty and for those seeking an active cultural experience.

How to reach San Giovanni di Fassa

To reach Val di Fassa by car, you can take the A22 Modena–Brennero motorway:

• Exit Ora/Egna, S.S. 48 delle Dolomiti – Passo San Lugano – Val di Fiemme – Val di Fassa (45 km)
• Exit Bolzano Nord, S.S. 241 Grande Strada delle Dolomiti – Passo Carezza – Vigo di Fassa (40 km)

Alternatively:

• From the A27 (Venice), exit Belluno/Ponte nelle Alpi, S.S. 203 to Agordo and S.P. 346 over Passo San Pellegrino – Moena (Val di Fassa)
• From the A27 (Venice), exit Belluno/Ponte nelle Alpi, S.S. 203 to Agordo/Alleghe/Rocca Pietore and S.P. 641 over Passo Fedaia – Canazei
• From Arabba, S.S. 48 over Passo Pordoi – Canazei
• From Val Gardena, S.S. 242 over Passo Sella – Canazei

For those traveling by train, the nearest railway stations to Val di Fassa are Trento, Bolzano, and Ora. Direct bus connections link these stations to Val di Fassa.

For air travel, the closest airport is Bolzano-Dolomiti, from which the valley can be reached by taxi.

For more information, visit the official website of the municipality. Don’t miss the wonders that Trentino-Alto Adige has to offer!

Cover photo credit: Trentino.com @Peer Cover photo credit: Atp Val di Fassa