Corvara
Welcome to Corvara in Badia, in the heart of the Dolomites
In this text, we will talk about Corvara in Badia, a municipality in the autonomous province of Bolzano, located in the heart of the Dolomites, at sea level. Corvara is a renowned ski resort in the Puez Group of the Sella Ronda, at the foot of Sassongher and the Dolomiti Superski area. With a population of 1367 inhabitants, it is the largest center in the Val Badia and one of the 18 municipalities that form Ladino, as well as the highest municipality in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Origins of the name
The name Corvara in Badia is attested from 1296, and derives from the Latin corvus, which means crow. The suffix "-aria" denotes a place where many crows lived. Between 1925 and 1938, the municipality was renamed Ladinia by aggregation of the previous municipalities of Corvara and Colfosco. The phrase "in Badia" is only present in the official Italian toponym, probably to distinguish it nationally from the homonymous municipality in the province of Pescara.
History of Corvara and Colfosco
Corvara and Colfosco, although belonging to the same municipality, had different histories and belonged to different territories. Historical information about Corvara is only available from 1292, while for Colfosco there is evidence already from 1153. Corvara belonged to the jurisdiction of Marebbe, while Colfosco belonged to that of Selva di Val Gardena. The latter locality was annexed to Val Badia only in 1828.
From an ecclesiastical point of view, Colfosco initially belonged to the parish church of Laion, then to the curate of Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. Both Corvara and Colfosco were part of the Brunico district until the end of the First World War. The oldest church in Corvara is that of Santa Caterina, which already existed in the 15th century. The other church, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, was built in 1962.
Development of sports and tourism
Corvara and Colfosco gained international fame starting from the 19th century, thanks to skiing and hiking activities. In 1947, the first ski lift in Italy was completed and tested in Corvara, connecting the village to Col Alto. In this way, the tourist and skiing industry was encouraged, which saw a particular increase in the 1970s, creating numerous jobs for the local population, but also for people from other regions.
The coat of arms of Corvara in Badia
The coat of arms of the municipality represents three green mountains, surmounted by three red peaks with inclined tops, on a silver background. The logo recalls the characteristic landscapes of the Dolomites and the mountainous nature of the area.
In summary, Corvara in Badia is a mountain municipality in the autonomous province of Bolzano, famous for skiing and hiking activities. The toponym derives from the Latin corvus, meaning crow, and indicates that it was a place where many of these birds lived. Although Corvara and Colfosco had different histories and belonged to different territories, their tourist and sports development made the area famous all over the world. The municipality's coat of arms depicts mountains and peaks, reminding us of the natural beauty of the area.
