Like a great
outdoor cinema
Get out of the big city. Escape the place that never sleeps. Leave behind the concrete buildings, the noise, and the frenzied world of work. Come to the great green pastures, the woods and meadows. Enjoy the unspoiled natural setting, with the whistling call of marmots. Explore the mountains all around, with their strange rock formations: a place where you can see to infinity and have a sense of real freedom.
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
John Muir
The
great
conquest.
Luis Trenker
The Dolomites,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Anyone who spends time in the Dolomites know this very well: they are not simply "mountains".
When Déodat de Dolomieu, the French naturalist scientist, first saw these strangely "pale" mountains in 1789, little did he imagine that his name would live forever!
During his travels, he made detailed studies of the rocks in the area, discovering a previously unknown mineral, which later took his name. In 2009, the Dolomites were added to the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites, in recognition of their monumental beauty and special geological structure.
A time machine and history book
The many layers of rock found in the Dolomites are regarded as a unique record of the history of the Earth through its 250 million years of existence. When you climb the rocky cliffs or walk along the many paths through these mountains, try to imagine a time when this was an area of islands, lagoons and coral reefs, covered by a tropical sea.
We need to explain: what exactly is meant by the "Dolomites"?
The nine areas that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site are spread between the provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto. The Val Pusteria lies along the northern border, while the area is bounded to the south by the River Piave. The Isarco and Adige Valleys mark the western edge of the Dolomites, while the Sesto Valley and the Monte Croce Comelico Pass indicate the eastern boundary. The highest peak in this amazing alpine landscape is Mount Marmolada, at 3,342 metres. Other famous rocky formations are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Catinaccio, the Odle Group and the Sasso Lungo. During your holiday in the Dolomites, you are sure to explore the mountains around Sesto and Braies. But less popular places, such as Mount Serla (2,378 m) and Mount Lungo (2,378 m), are well worth a visit.