Tradition and culture in Val Gardena

In Italy, a popular destination for those who love the mountains is the dolomites.

In particular, the charm of Passo Sella and Neighboring towns continues to grow.

The border between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano, is a popular tourist destination both in winter and summer and one favoured by hikers.

Besides in walking at high altitude, you can climb the paths mountain rich in memories and ancient Ladin culture.

Ladins is an ancient...
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In Italy, a popular destination for those who love the mountains is the dolomites.

In particular, the charm of Passo Sella and Neighboring towns continues to grow.

The border between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano, is a popular tourist destination both in winter and summer and one favoured by hikers.

Besides in walking at high altitude, you can climb the paths mountain rich in memories and ancient Ladin culture.

Ladins is an ancient ethnic minority that lives in these areas.

Selva Gardena is still alive the memory of mountaineer Karl Hunterzinger, who disappeared in July 2008.

In Dolomiti Mountains region of Italy, to be more precise in Val Gardena over Ortisei, Santa Caterina and Selva Gardena, there are hundreds of sculptors of wood belonging to the ethnic minority of Ladins.
The wood sculptor Sigmund Linder (blue shirt) is a man who for his attachment to the land and its traditions has become one of the greatest sculptors. Initially followed with filial love the footsteps of his father, to perfect at the State Institute of Art and Design in Ortisei where he completed the race course.
A lot of ancient sources go back to 1500 the first export of wooden toys. Inhabitants of Val Gardena understood that such activities might have become a source of income capable of supporting, in the cold winter months, the agriculture and the grazing sheep. He currently lives with his family to Selva Gardena and you can admire it in his workshop-showroom (so named because it overlooks along the road that crosses the whole Val Gardena) while creating, with great skill, his works of art.
The valley is full of wooden works. Crucifixes, statues, sacred and profane pervade the streets and houses of Val Gardena. Even on the highest peaks of the mountains there are depictions of Christ in wood entirely handmade.
Today the sculptures are sold worldwide and they are the best expression of the culture of ladins.
Italy, Selva Gardena (BZ). 29/06/2009
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