In the Val di Sole, in the heart of the most beautiful Trentino, there is a spectacular place that turns into an unmissable destination for lovers of tradition during the holidays. We are talking about Ossana, the village of 1000 nativity scenes. An ancient tradition, that is passed down by a few remaining residents (and not only), but which charms with its simplicity, which fills the square and streets with a Christmas atmosphere.
Ossana is on a motorcycle. Itinerary
Map
Way
Ossana is 84 kilometers from Bolzano and passes through the Mendola Pass. The route, which takes about a few hours, is very characteristic as it follows the snowy roads of Trentino-Alto Adige. When you leave Ossana, take the SS42 towards Dimaro and then continue to the highest part Lake Santa Giustina and from there you will follow SP24 and SS42, which leads to Mendola. You head back towards the valley floor, passing through Piazza di Sopra and Frangarto to finally arrive at Bolzanothe capital of Alto Adige – Südtirol.
A thousand nativity scenes per 800 inhabitants. The Miracle of Ossana
One of the many nativity scenes being prepared in Ossana with Christmas in mind
They are in Ossana more nativities than inhabitants. It looks like a joke, but it’s true: the 832 inhabitants of the village build up to 1,000 cribs together with associations and volunteers every year. A village surrounded by trees and snowy roofs, with the bitter cold of the wonderful Trentino, at the foot of an ancient castle he is dressing up. AND red ribbon, as well as the symbolic color of the festival, accompanies visitors on a discovery hunt for depictions of the Holy Family. Did you know that this tradition dates back to the year 1200 and was first introduced by Greccio (at Rieti) from Saint Francis of Assisi?
Here, among many short (houses, cellars, and shelters) you will find cribs of all shapes, sizes, and materials. A true tribute to the genius and hard work of the creatives who hand paint, build, and arrange the various characters, simply working hard to get the most beautiful nativity scene. And then how do resist the call for a cup of mulled wine? Ossana is not only nativity scenes but also Christmas markets to be discovered while pipers, street performers, and musicians take turns in the streets of the village to cheer up the atmosphere and make everything even more beautiful.
Not only nativity scenes: here’s what to see in Val di Sole
Val di Sole mountain range
PUSH Val di Sole, nestled in the heart of the Trentino Alps, is a gem waiting to be discovered. Characterized by breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, this valley offers a unique experience for nature and adventure lovers. A territory that is famous ski resorts, including Folgarida-Marilleva, Pejo, and Passo del Tonale, winter paradises for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. In the summer, it turns into a center for pedestrians and cyclists, with paths winding through forests and crystal-clear waterways.
A surprising fact about the Val di Sole is that it dominates the Ortles-Cevedale massif and is immersed in naturalistic landscapes of rare beauty, this is also what he created a historical linguistic area, where Solandro is still spoken today, a local dialect that testifies to the cultural richness of the area and which, according to linguistic sources, comes from Ladin. Strangely, however, Solandro does not speak at all Ossana where a dialect of strange western Lombard origin (to be clear, the one spoken in Milan as well) is used instead.
