Dolomites - UNESCO World Heritage

Friday, 26 June 2009: The Unesco world heritage committee has recognised the uniquess of this Italian mountain group and placed it under protection. The weird towers and crags are favourite motifs for postcards and paintings, though they also make a splendid backdrop for outdoor pursuits such als walking, climbing and skiing.

Justification Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Dolomites are the archetype of a particular type of mountain landscape in the world, defined as “dolomitic landscape”, and the most outstanding anywhere. The extremely articulated topography and the exceptional variety of colours are distinctive characteristics of the dolomitic landscape, but even more so the extraordinary contrast between the gentle curves of the meadows and the sudden vertical thrust of mighty, completely bare, pale-coloured peaks with extraordinarily varied sculptural shapes. The result of these key traits determines the “dolomitic landscape”, that is that typology of mountain scenery whose original model and maximum expression is found in the Dolomites..