What are the coldest cities in Italy? Let’s discover 5

DOBBIACO

Dobbiaco, in South Tyrol, follows close behind. This small town in the Val Pusteria, framed by the Dolomites, is known for its glacial temperatures, which can reach -25°C. The inhabitants have developed a distinctive architecture, with houses fitted with double glazing and state-of-the-art heating systems that use renewable energy. Gustav Mahler composed some of his most celebrated symphonies here. It is well known that in his little house, where he did not want to be disturbed by anyone, he wrote his last masterpieces, such as Das Lied von der Erde and the Ninth Symphony, probably finding inspiration in the muffled silence of the winter snowfalls.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO

In third place we find Cortina d'Ampezzo, the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’. Its fashionable fame is undimmed by the great cold: the town faces very harsh winters with temperatures that frequently fall below -20°C. The people of Ampezzo have developed an economy perfectly adapted to the climate: from heated shops, which become social meeting points, to illuminated ski slopes, which allow sport even during the short winter days. Ernest Hemingway, who stayed here several times in the 1940s, becoming a regular presence in the town, described Cortina’s cold as ‘a silent companion that sharpens the senses’.

VIPITENO

Vipiteno, also in South Tyrol, takes fourth place. The medieval town, with its perfectly preserved historic centre, faces temperatures that can reach -22°C. The inhabitants have developed a system of covered passageways linking the main buildings, making it possible to get around sheltered from the intense cold. The ancient tradition of Christmas markets takes on a special meaning here, with mulled wine and local specialities helping to fight the cold.

BRUNICO

Closing the top 5 is Brunico, gem of the Val Pusteria, where the thermometer can read -20°C. The town has turned the cold into a cultural opportunity: the Winter Festival attracts visitors from all over Europe, while the inhabitants have developed a particular sense of community, organising social events in the stube, the typical heated rooms of traditional farmhouses. This town gave birth to the biathlon champion Dorothea Wierer, who grew up and trained in the harsh climate of these areas.

The intense cold in these cities is not just a climatic condition, but has become an integral part of local identity, shaping architecture, traditions and lifestyles. In an age of global warming, these places remind us how adapting to extreme climate conditions can generate rich and resilient cultures, where the cold is not an enemy to be fought, but an element to live with in harmony.