Page 173 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

NOR THEAST IT AL Y  171

TRENTINO-ALTO

ADIGE

The Italian-speaking Trentino – named after Trento, the
regional capital – and the German-speaking Alto Adige
or Südtirol (South Tyrol, the region bordering the upper
reaches of the River Adige) differ dramatically in culture.
However, they do share one feature in common: the majestic
Dolomites that form the backdrop to every town and village,
covered in snow for three months of every year and carpeted
with exquisite Alpine plants for another three.
The region’s mountains have been cut by of Tyrol, whose land (later appropriated
glaciers into a series of deep, broad valleys. by the Habsburgs) straddled both sides
Many of these face south, so it remains of today’s Italy-Austria border. The
unusually warm and sunny, even in Tyrolean nobility built the castles that
winter. Travellers have passed up and still line the valleys and the mountain
down these valleys for generations – as passes, in order to protect travellers
confirmed by the extraordinary discovery from brigands.
of a 5,000-year-old man’s body in 1991, Another ancient legacy is the tradition
found emerging from the surface of a of hospitality to be found in the numerous
melting glacier in Alto Adige. The frozen guesthouses along the valleys. Many of
corpse wore leather boots, stuffed with these are built in the distinctive Tyrolean
hay for warmth, and was armed with a style, with beautiful timber balconies for
copper ice pick. making the most of the winter sun, and
The paths that Neolithic man once overhanging roof eaves to keep snow at
trod became major road networks under a distance. Cosy in winter, with log fires
the Romans, when many of the region’s and warming food, and offering
cities were founded. By the Middle Ages, marvellous views, they make the ideal
Alto Adige had established its very own base for enjoying the region’s mountain
distinctive culture under the Counts footpaths and ski slopes.

Skiers enjoying the slopes around Monte Spinale, near Madonna di Campiglio in Trentino
Trekkers climbing the glowing peaks of the Rosengarten mountain range in the Dolomites, South Tyrol

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