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As a UNESCO World Heritage site, they draw nature enthusiasts and outdoor sports enthusiasts, offering unforgettable hikes and climbs. Their distinctive reddish hue at sunset adds to their magic.
The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009, present a mountain landscape unlike any other. Located in northern Italy, these majestic peaks rise with a singular beauty, characterized by their pinkish hues at sunset, making them truly unique. Their geological formation, primarily composed of dolomite rock, gives them a distinctive appearance. With towering summits, deep valleys, and enchanting alpine lakes, the Dolomites are a succession of natural wonders.
The biological diversity is equally extraordinary, with plant and animal species adapted to this unique alpine environment. However, the Dolomites are not just a natural gem; they represent a rich cultural dimension with ancient villages, a testament to centuries of harmonious coexistence between humans and the mountains.
Winter sports and outdoor activities like climbing and hiking attract visitors from around the world. This UNESCO recognition celebrates the precious interplay between humans and nature, inviting all to preserve and enjoy this extraordinary gift of the Earth.
The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are described by the renowned Swiss-born French architect, urban planner, painter, and designer Le Corbusier as "the most beautiful architectural work in the world." This legendary mountain range is a paradise for those who love sports, unspoiled nature, rugged mountains, and traditional flavors. The so-called "pale mountains" are situated across three regions: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Dolomites are characterized by their unique habitat and offer breathtaking views. Comprised primarily of dolomite rock, these mountains get their famous pale color from the mineral dolomite. This vast mountain complex covers over 140,000 hectares and spans three regions and five provinces: Trento, Bolzano, Belluno, Pordenone, and Udine, with a small part extending into Austria in the Lienz Dolomites.
When we talk about the Dolomites, we're actually referring to an extensive mountain range that includes the Brenta Dolomites, the Catinaccio and Latemar group, the Sesto Dolomites, the Pale di San Martino, the Marmolada massif, and the Pelmo and Croda da Lago group, concluding with the Friulian Dolomites, the most eastern of all.
One of the most renowned areas is the Dolomiti Superski, a vast region housing a national park, nine natural parks, and Italy's largest ski area. The Dolomites' geological evolution began during the Miocene period when rock layers formed from the accumulation of shells, corals, and algae emerged from the sea in which they were initially deposited, slowly transforming into mountains.
The Dolomites are named after the French naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu, who first studied the predominant rock type, later named dolomite in his honor. The first geographical use of the term Dolomites dates back to 1837 in a London guidebook describing a mountainous region between the Fassa, Gardena, Badia valleys, the Puster Valley, and the Venetian Alps. The name officially became the Dolomites in 1864 when a travel account by two English naturalists was published.
The former name, Monti Pallidi, was directly linked to the composition of the dolomitic rocks, which appear pale, bright, and capable of reflecting surrounding light. Pale during the day, the Dolomites turn reddish at sunrise and sunset. These magnificent rock cathedrals are a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their unique mountain cultural landscape and exceptional natural beauty, characterized by sedimentary carbonate rocks, namely dolomite rocks, with valuable geology that allows the study and rediscovery of marine life from the Triassic period.
The Dolomite itinerary is vast, but there are seven must-visit locations. The first recommended stop is Madonna di Campiglio, an internationally renowned ski resort nestled among the Brenta peaks and the Adamello and Presanella glaciers. It offers over 60 kilometers of slopes and 20 ski lifts, as well as numerous hiking trails.
