Land of the Ladins: Conrvara and Fanes Park
Ladino is a Rhaeto-Romance language and is derived from Latin, which was used by Roman legionaries, passing through the valley during expeditions against Celtic tribes. It is a typical Alpine language, and dominates especially in the area around the Sella range: in the val di Fassa valleys, Val Badia, Val Gardena and Livinallongo. The peaceful Ladins were constantly threatened by the invasion of Germanic tribes from the north and others from the Padan Plain, and the legends they left behind tell the story of battles., betrayals and changing fates of the tribe. Later, Christianity became a great danger for them.. Ladins, admittedly,, accepted them, but changing to his prayer and equipping the new saints with powers, which had their ancient goddesses. Located in the gloomy SAN MARTINO DI BADIA primitive Castello di Thurn, which was once a strong point of power of the prince-bishops of Bressanone, is a testament to the church's desire to keep Val di Badia under its control. In 1452 Bishop Nicolo Cusano complained to church authorities about a woman from Val di Fassa, who told him, that she met the goddess Diana in the forest. Also in the cult of St.. Giuliana was a pagan element: character contours, the one always holding the sword of the saint, many buildings in the fass and Badia valleys were carved on plaster.
Relative insulation, in which this region remained until recently, allowed to keep the group 40 Thousand. Ladino speakers their cultural identity, despite the division of their territory into three parts by Veneto, Trento and alto Adige. Today, however, CORVARA, the main city of the Ladin region, is primarily a ski resort, and the most visible trace of the old language is the local press, published partially in ladino (this language has several pages reserved in local newspapers). Mountainous Park Fanes, with which most of the legends of the Ladins are associated, has a whole range of hiking trails (by bus from Corvary). The AAST office in the city has information on the possibility of renting rooms included in the price 18 000 L per person. A number of buses depart from outside this office to Brunico and Belluno.
Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies
The best way to visit the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Park is to take it along the Alta Via route. 1. It takes three to four days, but on the way you can stop at shelters. The beginning of the trail is reached by bus, operating from Brunico to DOBBIACO (TOBLACH), and gets off at the intersection between MONGUEL-FO (WELSBERG) and VILLABASSA (NIEDERDORF). To stop there you need to ask the driver (going ok. 30 Min.). Alta Via starts from surrounded by pine trees, intensively green Lago di Braies (Lake Prague Lake Pragser), which is located 8 kilometers to the side from the main, road running through Val Pusteria. It is an unusual place (according to legend, the lake is the gateway to underground caves), but it should be avoided in July and August, when crowds come here. With less time, you can immediately head to the higher slopes of Alpe di Fanes, from where you can enter the best, sections of the route running along ridges. By bus from Corvary or Brunico you get to LONGEGA (ZWISCHENWASSER), and from there you go on foot 4 kilometers to SAN VIGILIO DI MAREBBE located in a side valley. The local AAST office is here to advise on the choice of excursion routes. From San Vigilio to The Alpe di Fanes Piccola (Ok. 2000 m.) Rifugio Fanes (0474/51097) and Rifugio Lavarella (0474/51038) there is a regular jeep-taxi (7000 L). Paths lead through grassy plains, near small ponds and rocks Ciastel de Fanes, where the mythical princess of the Ladin tribe supposedly lived, Dolasilla. Lakes take water from underground streams, whose noise can sometimes be heard deep under your feet.
The existence of several picturesque places in the park, possible to visit in one day, Means, that during summer weekends it is full of tourists. One such place is the Plan de Corones basin, surrounded by jagged peaks., which is reached by the cable car from Brunico. Legend, that right here, at the top of the mountain, Dolasilla was crowned raieta, mysterious crystal, who possessed powerful power.