In 2009 the Dolomites in South Tyrol were declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage: this fall between the 175 recognized natural heritage sites in the world, the second site in Italy, after the Aeolian Islands. The Dolomites in South Tyrol that fall into this natural heritage are the four natural parks Dolomite Puez -Odle in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena, Dolomites of Sesto, Fanes - Senes Braies and Sciliar-Catinaccio/Rosengarten including the Latemar in the Alpe di Siusi, and the part of Bletterbach.
The genesis of this type of carbonate rock starts through the accumulation of shells, corals and calcareous algae in the marine environment and tropical. In particular, these accumulations took place in the Triassic period , about 250 million years ago in areas with latitude and longitude very different from the current location of the Dolomites, where there were warm, shallow seas. On the bottom of the seas piled hundreds of meters of sediment were transformed under their own weight, losing the internal fluids and becoming rock.
Subsequently, the clash between the European plate and the African plate brought out these rocks rise over 3000 m above sea level. The current landscape, angular and full of gradients, appears as a melting pot of rocks that has nothing to do with coral reefs but they have an irresistible charm.
The Dolomites are named after the French naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu (1750-1801) who first studied the particular type of rock, named in his honour dolomite (double carbonate of calcium and magnesium, MgCa (CO3 ) 2) Santa Cristina in Val Gardena is certainly the ideal place to admire the beauty of the Dolomites UNESCO due to its central location in the heart of the various peaks and breath-taking scenery. It's time to explore it!
