South Tyrol

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Dolomites in South Tyrol

The Dolomites, called Dolomiti in Italian, are a world-famous mountain range in the south-eastern part of South Tyrol. It runs along the border between Trentino – South Tyrol (Trentino – Alto Adige) and Veneto. On the South Tyrolean side the holiday region of the Dolomites can be divided into the following areas: Alta Pusteria with the well-known localities Dobbiaco, San Candido, and Sesto; the Kronplatz near Valdaora and Brunico, Alta Badia, Catinaccio – Latemar, Alpe di Siusi – Sciliar, and the Val Gardena. In 2009 the greater part of this region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site – this fact clearly indicates the uniqueness and significance of the “pale mountains”. The Dolomites have been named after the Frenchman Dolomieu who was the first scientist to discover and depict the mineral known as Dolomite.

The Three Peaks in the Dolomites The Three Peaks in the holiday region Dolomites

From a geological point of view the mountain range is a global unicum. The abrupt variation between sapgreen mountain pastures like the Alpe di Siusi on the one hand, and the sheer limestone and dolomite rock walls like those of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo on the other hand. The latter are the ultimate landmark of the Dolomites.