Valmorel tells its story through wood
Valmorel is a small village in the heart of the Belluno Prealps, a simple place where arts and crafts of the past are tangible... and are the heart of a narrative that tells the identity of the place and its inhabitants.
Since 2006, the Frazionale Committee has undertaken an artistic and cultural project aimed at populating the center and all the main streets - paths and places - of Valmorel with wood sculptures depicting the history and present of the locality.
The initiative started almost as a joke, for the Centenary of the birth of the great writer Dino Buzzati. A group of amateur wood artists was invited to a sculpture course, held by I Becalench, to carve The Miracles of Valmorel.
Today, the entire territory and nearby fractions are enhanced by more than 50 permanent wood sculptures... A true itinerary, all to be discovered!
Some more details, always useful
Here in Valmorel there are sculptures everywhere. Some are beautifully displayed, while others you have to go and find because they are hidden among the woods... They are truly outdoor works of art.
An immersive thematic path that integrates landscape, culture, and beauty... which we absolutely recommend you to explore!
The enthusiasm of the community and the general interest of tourists has led the Committee, over the years, to logically organize the sculptures — initially unordered, although always connected to the territory. Now the works are developed along small paths: each of which tells something about the place...
On the way to Malga Van, there are legendary figures of the village and the woods of Valmorel. To reach Malga Montegal, you find the ancient crafts of the local farming culture. In the Dairy, there is an illustration of the milk processing, at Canal del Gat, fairy tales and folk myths are recalled... And of course, along the entire Buzzati path, there are references that pay homage to the imagination of the writer and journalist from Belluno. In short, a true experience: perhaps different, but definitely captivating and that enlivens this mountain place!
Among the most curious installations, there are the Wood Sculptures of Laste created by the craftsman Luciano Roncada. He returned to Giaon (Limana, BL) during the lockdown and created this set of carvings on the theme of “life hidden in forests” using fallen trees after the Vaja disaster of 2019. Visible already from the road, the most intriguing symbols are the wolf, the sword, and the alien... demonstrating that it just takes a little imagination to create art, and that it always starts from passion.
For those interested in learning more and for anyone who wants to personally observe all these works: in the Piazza in Valmorel, there is an information board.
This one is also made of wood, illustrating and explaining all the paths and various subjects... We are sure it will help you orient yourself better
Here’s what the Sculptures of Valmorel are: an identity... a collective heritage.
