A spectacular territory, offering awesome views and the chance to broaden your knowledge
The scientific and nature aspects of the “Monti Pallidi” (Pale Mountains), inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site
Do you know that where today we see the Dolomite peaks, millions of years ago there was a tropical sea? And that in the nineteenth century, a small hotel in a tiny village in Trentino became a landmark and meeting place for European scholars, intellectuals and artists? The composition of the Dolomites, their history and wildlife have always been studied and have also been a source of inspiration in many fields.
That’s why we thought it was a good idea to collect the most interesting and unusual stories to explain how important the Dolomites have been and still are, from the point of view of scientific research and nature-related studies. A World Heritage Site, offering awesome views and the chance to broaden your knowledge.
How were the Dolomites formed?
Can you imagine that where today there are these imposing mountains made of rock spires, towers and pinnacles there once was a calm tropical sea? This is how Dolomites began… about 250 million years ago.
Animals of the Dolomites (and where to find them)
Bears, eagles, roe deer, ibex, red deer, owls… the Dolomites, thanks to their geographical location and diverse habitats, preserve extraordinary wildlife. Its mountains, plateaus and forests are home to most of the typically Alpine species.
Parks and Protected Areas
A national park, eight nature parks, a national monument and many nature reserves and sites, extending across three regions and eight Dolomite mountain groups. From the Parco Naturale Dolomiti Friulane (Nature Park of the Friuli Dolomites) to the Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta (Adamello Brenta Nature Park), united in the protection of these mountains, which are a Unesco Heritage Site.
On the tracks of dinosaurs
Here you can find out more on the history of the Dolomites, when dinosaurs dominated the Earth. In the Dolomites and many other parts of Trentino, we can still see may fossilised tracks that tell us “one step at a time” how these huge animals conquered the world.
The Dolomites: the gateway to the universe
On the top of the Dolomite mountains, you are closer to the secrets of the universe. We are not saying this to say something that may seem obvious. This was actually proved in an old laboratory on Passo Fedaia, which in the mid-fifties hosted researchers such as Blackett, Powell and Fermi, who had climbed up there to study cosmic rays.
The Nave d’Oro (meaning Golden Ship): the small Grand Hotel of Science
It is the story of a small hotel in Val di Fiemme that in the nineteenth century became an exclusive intellectual and scientific salon. Hidden in and surrounded by the scenic Dolomites, it attracted scholars, artists and climbers from all over Europe, who were lured by the charm of the “Monti Pallidi” (Pale Mountains).
