Set in the heart of the Dolomites, between the Sassolungo and the Sella group, Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein in Gröden) is a popular tourist resort in the province of Bolzano, is ideal for those who enjoy Winter sports, thanks to its proximity to the carousel of Sella Ronda, and for those who prefer to spend long hours in contact with nature, exploring new landscapes and breathtaking views along the well-maintained mountain paths through lush forests and fresh streams.
The name, in its Italian form, derives from the Latin "silva" (forest) and is attested since the XII century, the German version, instead, derives from the castle and the house of Wolkenstein.
Attractions:
- the remains of the Castle of Wolkenstein, today in ruins, clings to the rock face of the Stevia and was built in the XIII century, but went already in ruins in the XVI century and was never restored or rebuilt;
- the Parish Church of Santa Maria ad Nives, which presents itself as a modern octagonal building, was rebuilt in 1988 after the demolition of the central neo-Gothic nave, which dated back to the XIX century. Of major interest is the XVII century central altar, surmounted by a faithful copy of the Madonna and Child by Lucas Cranach (the original is preserved in the Church of St. James in Innsbruck);
- the Chapel of St. Sylvester, in which, during the restoration of the last century, several frescoes were brought to the light;
- the Memorial Chapel for the victims of the mountain, built at the Cemetery of Selva di Val Gardena.