Witches and spells: the mysteries of the Dolèda hill

<p>The ancient roads used for transporting livestock to reach some of the highest villages in Trentino and to enter the magic and myths of the valley.</p>

<p>"Penìa, where beyond there is nothing"... The rocky spur of Dolèda, where witches once gathered, at 1828 meters, is one of the most extraordinary panoramic points of the valley. Rock drawings and square stones seem like the foundations of an ancient vanished castle, wrapped in legend, belonging to the mythical countess of Dolèda, the noblewoman who left everything to escape the Italic wars and live happily in the shadow of the Marmolada. "Dolada" in Ladin means squared by axe blows. So, squared and chiseled rocks in search of treasures or rock paintings of ancient propitiatory practices? Mysteries! Through stretches hosting mouflons and roe deer, reach two of the highest inhabited villages in Trentino. Until 2010, Lorenz and Vera were reachable only on foot. Today, the municipal roads have been built on geological and volcanic slopes. Penìa still preserves one of the best examples of an old Venetian sawmill for timber, the only hydraulic one still functioning in Val di Fassa.</p>