Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio: a mountain paradise
Madonna di Campiglio is an enchanting place located in the autonomous province of Trento, nestled between the Dolomites of Brenta and the Alps of Adamello and Presanella. The tourist resort has approximately 822 inhabitants and is famous mainly as a winter sports destination, thanks to its numerous ski lifts for alpine skiing and snowboarding. It is one of the largest ski areas in Italy, part of the Skirama Dolomiti ski resort.
To reach Madonna di Campiglio, you can take the Strada statale 239 di Campiglio which connects the Val di Sole with the Valli Giudicarie. This leads to the village of Patascoss, located at around 1700 meters above sea level and connected to the town center by the "3-Tre" ski slope or by lifts in summer.
The history of Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio has a very ancient history dating back to 1190. At that time, Raimondo decided to found a monastery-hospital for the assistance of travelers. The monastery grew rapidly, under the guidance of a priest prior, becoming famous in the region. After its suppression in 1515, however, the village declined until Giovanni Battista Righi, a Rendena entrepreneur, bought the ruins from the then-owner, the Chapter of the Cathedral of Trento, and founded the "Stabilimento Alpino", the first modern hotel in the town.
Giovanni Battista Righi also built the first carriage road that could connect Campiglio to Pinzolo and the rest of the world. In 1872, the village hosted the founding of the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini, and later became a privileged destination for European and Austrian aristocracy, especially under the guidance of Franz Josef Oesterreicher.
Madonna di Campiglio: between Sissi and winter sports
Throughout its history, Madonna di Campiglio has hosted illustrious figures like Sissi, Empress of Bavaria, who stayed at the Hotel des Alpes twice, in 1889 and 1894. It was during this time that the village tried to promote itself as a winter sports destination, with the first attempt to launch the practice of alpine skiing thanks to a group of English "skiers" who climbed the nearby Monte Spinale in 1910. Since then, Madonna di Campiglio has become a privileged destination for winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
In addition to skiing, in summer, visitors can enjoy sports such as climbing, trekking, golf, and horseback riding, all immersed in the beauty of nature.
The beauty of Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio is a small paradise where the beauty of nature and Alpine architecture blend perfectly. The village offers numerous places to visit, such as Lake Valagola or Nardis Waterfall. Moreover, the Dolomites of Brenta and the Alps of Adamello and Presanella offer breathtaking scenery that leaves one breathless.
A stroll through the streets of Madonna di Campiglio's historic center gives visitors the opportunity to admire the local architecture, with stone and wooden houses overlooking the narrow streets. The main square, in particular, is one of the most charming places in the village, with the Church of Santa Maria degli Alpini standing majestically in the background.
Madonna di Campiglio is, therefore, a destination not to be missed for those who want to spend a vacation dedicated to sports, nature, and Alpine culture.
