Consisting of several smaller hamlets the community of Abtei is situated in the Ladinic-speaking Gadertal. Abtei is part of the Puez-Geisler nature reserve in the west and the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Reserve in the east. Abtei can be reached on the not yet improved road in the valley and two mountain roads over the Valparola Pass and the Grödner Joch, which can only be used in snow free months. The community of Abtei is characterized by diversity: the two secluded hamlets Pedratsches and St. Leonhard are rich in traditional, whereas Stern and St. Kassian are modern tourist-centres. The well-known pilgrimage church Heiligkreuz and Gran Risa, famous for the ski-world-cup belong to Abtei.