Val Gardena (German: Gröden; Ladin: Gherdëina) is a valley in the Dolomites of northern Italy. It is best known as a skiing, rock climbing and woodcarving area.
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Culture
Gherdëina is one of five valleys with a majority of Ladin speakers (two of these valleys are in the province of Bolzano-Bozen). The form of the Ladin language spoken in this valley is called Gardenese in Italian, Grödnerisch in German and Gherdëina in Ladin.
Woodcarving
The woodcarving industry flourishes in Gherdëina since the 17th century. In the 19th and 20th century and up until now statues and altars are carved and shipped to catholic churches throughout the world. In the 19th and 20th century carving of wooden toys was such a widespread occupation in all gardenese families that Amelia Edwards called Urtijëi the capital of Toyland.[citation needed]. The Parish Church of Urtijëi displays a rich collection of statues carved by local artists in the last two centuries.
Towns
There are three towns in the valley: Urtijëi, Sëlva and Santa Crestina Gherdëina
Sports
Gardena has a Serie A2 hockey-team, HCGardena.
Carolina Kostner is a famous figure skater and cousin of Isolde Kostner, the famous ski-champion.
The Val Gardena is best know as one of the starting points for the Sella Rhonda ski circuit.
The Emilio Comici hut is also at its head.
Bibliography
- Amelia B. Edwards. Untrodden peaks and unfrequented valleys. A midsummer ramble in the Dolomites. Longman's, Green and Co. London 1873.
External links
- Amelia Edwards. Untrodden peaks and unfrequented valleys (1873) - published online
- Val Gardena Tourist information
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