Sexten, Mountain village at 1310 meters in South Tyrol, Italy
This settlement sits in a broad valley of the High Puster region, surrounded by limestone peaks and forested slopes. The main village core clusters around a church spire, with farms and guesthouses spreading along the valley floor toward the base of the Dolomite massifs.
The earliest written reference to this place dates to 965, when a monastic document mentioned the location by its Latin designation. Centuries later, the area passed from Austrian control to Italian sovereignty after the First World War, reshaping its administrative boundaries.
Residents here mainly converse in German, reflecting a linguistic heritage shaped by centuries of Alpine settlement patterns. The local way of life centers around mountain traditions, with agriculture and tourism forming the backbone of everyday routines.
Marked trails radiate from the village center into the surrounding peaks, offering routes for different skill levels throughout the warmer months. In winter, lifts operate nearby, and many paths become suitable for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing once snow settles.
Tennis champion Jannik Sinner spent his early years here before moving to a training academy. The surrounding terrain also served as a filming location for mountain documentaries, thanks to its dramatic rock formations and accessible ridges.
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