The Pearl of Cadore, a village on the shore of Lake Misurina at 1,754 metres, famous for its pure air and the easiest base for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
A short history
Misurina sits at 1,754 metres, on the shore of the largest lake in Cadore, within the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore. People call it the Pearl of Cadore for the sheet of water that mirrors the Tre Cime, the Sorapiss and the Cadini. Until the mid nineteenth century it was just a high pasture with a few mountain huts.
Its fortune began with the air. In the late nineteenth century doctors found that the dry climate and the altitude helped people with asthma and breathing troubles. The first hotels and sanatoriums opened here. Misurina still has a paediatric institute for asthma treatment, the only one in Italy at this altitude.
In the twentieth century the village became an elegant resort and a sports centre. At the Cortina Winter Olympics of 1956 the frozen Lake Misurina hosted the speed skating events. The toll road up to the Auronzo hut also starts here, the most convenient gateway to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
What to see
- Lake Misurina, the sheet of water that gives the village its name, with a loop walk along its shores.
- The Cadini di Misurina, the cluster of spires and towers just above the village, among the most photographed views in the Dolomites.
- Monte Piana, a plateau with an open air museum of the Great War, among restored trenches and walkways.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Misurina?
Lake Misurina with its shoreline walk, the Cadini di Misurina rising above the village, and Monte Piana with its open air Great War museum. Misurina is also the handiest base for reaching the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Why is Misurina famous for its healthy air?
Because at 1,754 metres the climate is dry and the altitude helps people with asthma and breathing problems. Sanatoriums and health hotels opened here from the late nineteenth century, and Misurina still has a paediatric institute dedicated to asthma therapy.