Traditional farm houses in Val d’Ultimo/Ultental

Over the centuries a special style of architecture has developed in the valley. The traditional farm houses are built in solid larch wood, which over time have acquired a darkish color due to the effects of the sun. The predominant courtyard shape in the Val D’Ultimo is the „Paarhof” in which the living quarters and the stables with stalls are separated from each other. The gables of the roofs are pointed toward the valley. The flat well-suited saddled roof is covered with wooden shingles made of larch and weighted with stones, so that the house can withstand all forms of inclement weather.

Other notable features are the shingle roofs which offer shelter from all weather conditions apart from fire. There have been a fair few fire-related accidents, however, many traditional farms have prevailed and today tell a rich story about the lives of many generations of farming families.

The Ulten Valley Museum in San Nicolò/St. Nikolaus is a great place to visit if you want to know more about the regional culture.

If you feel like hiking, the Ulten farm trail leads past many of the valley’s most beautiful traditional farm houses. The exhibit in the national park Lahnersäge imparts much valuable information about the traditional wood construction methods of the Val D’Ultimo.