Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Encyclopedia
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo are three distinctive battlement
-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites
of northeastern Italy
. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps
. The three peaks, from east to west, are:
The peaks are composed of well-layered dolostone
s of the Dolomia Principale (Hauptdolomit) formation, Carnian
to Rhaetian
in age, as are many other groups in the Dolomites
(e.g., the Tofane
, the Pelmo or the Cinque Torri
).
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria
. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of Bolzano
and Belluno
and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2999 metres (9,839 ft). It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2857 metres (9,373 ft), and the Cima Ovest, at 2973 metres (9,754 ft).
with guides Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher. The Cima Ovest was first climbed exactly ten years later, on August 21, 1879, by Michel Innerkofler with G. Ploner, a tourist. The Cima Piccola was first climbed on July 25, 1881, by Michel and Hans Innerkofler. The routes of these three first ascents are still the normal ascent routes; the Cima Piccola's route is the most difficult of the three.
Emilio Comici was the first to climb the north face of the Cima Grande in 1933 in a party of three, after an ascent time of 3 days and 2 nights. This partly overhanging northern face is considered by climbers to be one of the great north faces of the Alps
.
Numerous routes lead from the surrounding communities to and around the peaks. The most common route is from Paternkofel/Monte Paterno to the alpine hut Auronzo at 2,333 m (7,654 ft), over Paternsattel (Patern Pass) to the alpine hut Dreizinnenhütte/Locatelli at 2,405 m (7,890 ft), and then to the peaks. There are a number of other routes as well.
Since the front line
between Italy and Austria during World War I
ran through these mountains, there are a number of fortifications, man-made caves, and commemorative plaques in the area.
Nearby communities include Auronzo di Cadore
, Toblach
/Dobbiaco, Sexten
/Sesto, and the Puster Valley.
The area has also staged many finishes in Giro D'Italia
.
Battlement
A battlement in defensive architecture, such as that of city walls or castles, comprises a parapet , in which portions have been cut out at intervals to allow the discharge of arrows or other missiles. These cut-out portions form crenels...
-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites
Sexten Dolomites
The Sexten Dolomites are a mountain range and a nature reserve in South Tyrol, Italy. The nature park was renamed in 2010 to Drei Zinnen Nature Park.- External links :*...
of northeastern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. The three peaks, from east to west, are:
- Cima Piccola/Kleine Zinne ("little peak")
- Cima Grande/Große Zinne ("big peak")
- Cima Ovest/Westliche Zinne ("western peak").
The peaks are composed of well-layered dolostone
Dolostone
Dolostone or dolomite rock is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. In old U.S.G.S. publications it was referred to as magnesian limestone. Most dolostone formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud prior to lithification. It is...
s of the Dolomia Principale (Hauptdolomit) formation, Carnian
Carnian
The Carnian is the lowermost stage of the Upper Triassic series . It lasted from about 228.7 till 216.5 million years ago . The Carnian is preceded by the Ladinian and is followed by the Norian...
to Rhaetian
Rhaetian
The Rhaetian is in geochronology the latest age of the Triassic period or in chronostratigraphy the uppermost stage of the Triassic system. It lasted from 203.6 ± 1.5 to 199.6 ± 0.6 million years ago...
in age, as are many other groups in the Dolomites
Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in north-eastern Italy. It is a part of Southern Limestone Alps and extends from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley...
(e.g., the Tofane
Tofane
Tofane is a mountain group in the Italian Dolomites, west of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the province of Belluno, Veneto, northern Italy. Most of the Tofane lies within Parco naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo, a nature park.-Peaks:...
, the Pelmo or the Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri
Cinque Torri are a small group belonging to Nuvolao group, in the Dolomiti Ampezzane north-west of San Vito di Cadore and south-west of Cortina d'Ampezzo.-Description:...
).
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of Bolzano
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
and Belluno
Province of Belluno
TheThe Province of Belluno is a province in the Veneto region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Belluno.It has an area of 3,678 km², and a total population of 214,026 .-Geography:...
and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2999 metres (9,839 ft). It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2857 metres (9,373 ft), and the Cima Ovest, at 2973 metres (9,754 ft).
First ascents
The first ascent of the Cima Grande was on August 21, 1869, by Paul GrohmannPaul Grohmann
Paul Grohmann was an Austrian mountaineer and writer.-Biography:Gorhmann was born in Vienna.Grohmann was a pioneer in exploring technically challenging mountains and is thought to have made more first ascents of Eastern Alps summits than anyone else. Among these are the four highest summits in...
with guides Franz Innerkofler and Peter Salcher. The Cima Ovest was first climbed exactly ten years later, on August 21, 1879, by Michel Innerkofler with G. Ploner, a tourist. The Cima Piccola was first climbed on July 25, 1881, by Michel and Hans Innerkofler. The routes of these three first ascents are still the normal ascent routes; the Cima Piccola's route is the most difficult of the three.
Emilio Comici was the first to climb the north face of the Cima Grande in 1933 in a party of three, after an ascent time of 3 days and 2 nights. This partly overhanging northern face is considered by climbers to be one of the great north faces of the Alps
Great north faces of the Alps
In mountaineering, the six great north faces of the Alps are known for their difficulty and great height. They are:*Cima Grande di Lavaredo*Eiger*Grandes Jorasses*Matterhorn*Petit Dru*Piz Badile...
.
Tourism
Since the front line
Front line
A front line is the farthest-most forward position of an armed force's personnel and equipment - generally in respect of maritime or land forces. Forward Line of Own Troops , or Forward Edge of Battle Area are technical terms used by all branches of the armed services...
between Italy and Austria during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
ran through these mountains, there are a number of fortifications, man-made caves, and commemorative plaques in the area.
Nearby communities include Auronzo di Cadore
Auronzo di Cadore
Auronzo di Cadore is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 120 km north of Venice and about 50 km northeast of Belluno....
, Toblach
Toblach
Toblach is a comune/Gemeinde in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located in the Puster Valley about 110 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 70 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria.As of November 30, 2010, it had a...
/Dobbiaco, Sexten
Sexten
Sexten is a comune in South Tyrol, in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of north-east Italy. The town is famous as a summer and winter sport resort and the mountains.-Geography:...
/Sesto, and the Puster Valley.
The area has also staged many finishes in Giro D'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
.
See also
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes