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 from the past are tangible... and they are the heart of a narrative that tells the identity of the place and its inhabitants.
Since 2006, the Frazione Committee has undertaken an artistic and cultural project aimed at populating the center and all the main streets - paths and places - of Valmorel with wooden sculptures depicting the history and present of the locality.
The initiative was born almost as a joke, for the centenary of the birth of the great writer Dino Buzzati. A group of amateur wood artists were invited to a sculpture course, held by I Becalench, to carve The Miracles of Valmorel.
Today, the entire area and nearby hamlets are enhanced by more than 50 permanent wooden sculptures... A true itinerary waiting to be discovered!
Some extra details, always helpful
Here in Valmorel, there are sculptures everywhere... Some are beautifully on display, others you have to go and find because they are hidden among the woods... They are real 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 have led the Committee, over the years, to logically organize the sculptures — initially disordered, 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 from the village and the woods of Valmorel. To reach Malga Montegal, one can find the ancient trades of the local peasant culture. In Latteria, the processing of milk is illustrated, at Canal del Gat fairy tales and folk myths are evoked... And of course, along the entire Buzzati path, there are references that pay homage to the imagination of the Belluno writer and journalist. In short, a true experience: perhaps different, but certainly captivating and enlivening this mountain place!
Among the most curious installations, there are the Wooden Sculptures of Laste made by craftsman Luciano Roncada. Returning to Giaon (Limana, BL) during the lockdown, he created this set of carvings on the theme of “hidden life in the forests” using fallen trees after the Vaja disaster of 2019. Visible from the road, the most intriguing symbols are the wolf, the sword, and the alien... demonstrating that a bit of imagination is all it takes to create art, and that everything always starts from passion.
For those interested in knowing more and for those who want to personally observe all these works: in Piazza Valmorel there is an information board.
Also made of wood, it illustrates and explains 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.
