Canazei
Welcome to Canazei: the Italian municipality nestled among the Dolomite groups
Canazei, also known as Cianacéi in Ladin language, is an Italian municipality of about 2,000 inhabitants located in the autonomous province of Trento, at the northern end of the Val di Fassa. The city is located bordering the autonomous province of Bolzano to the north, and the province of Belluno to the east, surrounded by the mountains of the Sassolungo Group, Marmolada, and Sella Group.
History of Canazei
The history of Canazei has been marked by various territorial changes: in 1926, the municipality of Campitello was abolished, and its territory was added to that of Canazei. In 1956, some territories were detached to promote the reconstruction of the municipality of Campitello, which was renamed Campitello di Fassa. Finally, in 1999, some uninhabited territories were added to the territory of Canazei.
Monuments and places of interest
The city of Canazei boasts numerous churches, including the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, located in the Gries district, the Church of San Floriano, whose construction dates back to the fifteenth century, and the Church of Madonna della Neve, a place of worship also located in the Gries district. The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate is located in the Alba district, while the Church of Saints Sebastian and Rocco is located in the Penia district.
Society of Canazei
Demographic evolution
The population of Canazei has steadily increased over the years. In the 2001 census, the population was 1,818, while in the 2011 census, it was 1,911. In 2021, the population reached 2,015.
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
Foreign residents in Canazei represent 5.95% of the population. The most numerous groups come from Romania, Albania, and Ukraine.
Linguistic distribution
In the city of Canazei, the "cazèt" variant of the Fassa dialect, which belongs to the Ladin language, is mainly used. In 2001, 82.4% of the population spoke Ladin. In 2021, the percentage of Ladin speakers has dropped to 54.2%.
Culture of Canazei
Events
Canazei hosts the "Dolomites Skyrace" every year, a world skyrunning race. The course starts from the city center and proceeds towards Passo Pordoi, then climbs to Sass Pordoi to culminate on Piz Boè, with a final descent through the Val Lasties to return to Canazei. The total uphill elevation gain is 1,800 meters, with a total length of 22 km. The race is composed of some hourly gates, which if exceeded, result in the immediate disqualification of the participant.
In conclusion, Canazei is an Italian municipality located in Trentino Alto Adige, nestled among the majestic Dolomite groups. The city has undergone various territorial changes over the years, but has maintained a rich cultural heritage of churches and monuments. The town is also known for the notable sports events that take place there, such as the Dolomites Skyrace.
