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The Dolomites – UNESCO World Natural Heritage

The Dolomites are a part of the Southern Alps and are characterised by bright dolomite rock. The sanctuary covers about 135,000 hectares and is situated in the north of Italy stretching over the provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino, Belluno, Udine and Pordenone. The Italian mountain chain was added to the list of World Natural and Cultural Heritage sites on 26 June by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

History of the Dolomites

The Dolomites mainly owe their inscription to this list to their geological history of origins. They were born as coral reefs about 250 million years ago when the Adriatic and Eurasian plates collided with each other and pushed the coral reef of the whole Alpine area upwards. This is how and when the Dolomites were born! Today, the rugged buttes of the „pale mountains“ alternate with deep valleys and gentle hills. Another UNESCO selection criterion was the exceptional beauty of the landscape. The topography of the region is characterised by a remarkable concentration of spectacular massifs. The dramatic play of colours during sunrise and sunset in the South Tyrolean Dolomites is unforgettable and an impressive example of natural spectacles in the Dolomites.

Alpe di Siusi is the largest high plateau of Europe.

It stretches on a surface of about 56 km². Being situated in the South Tyrolean Dolomites it is also part of the South Tyrolean World Natural and Cultural Heritage.

Alpe di Siusi, Hotel Genziana
Alpe di Siusi, South Tirol, Italy

Alpe di Siusi is bounded by the Sciliar in the southwest, by the Sassolungo group in the southeast and by the Gardena valley in the north.
Alpe di Siusi is located at about 40 km to the east of Bolzano above Siusi on altitudes between 1680 m and 2350 m. The western part of Alpe di Siusi has formed the Sciliar – Catinaccio Nature Park since 1975.

The Sciliar

The limestone massif of the Sciliar bounds Alpe di Siusi, the highest high plateau of Europe, in the west.

You can reach

....the peak on different well-tended and quite easy paths. The so-called Sciliar house is situated at about 100 m below the highest point of the Sciliar called Petz. Here you can already see the cross of the Petz, the highest peak, which can now be reached quite easily.

Sciliar from the Alpe di Siusi, Hotel Genziana

Once on the peak

....you can take a deep breath and enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding Dolomites with the Latemar, the Catinaccio, the Marmolada and the peaks of the Geisler and Sella groups.