Soraga
Soraga di Fassa: a Ladin community in Trentino
Soraga di Fassa is a municipality located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, one of the 17 municipalities that make up Ladinia, and one of the 6 municipalities in Val di Fassa. The name of the municipality probably derives from the Ladin term "sora l'èga", which indicates the position of the village above the Avisio river. The mother tongue of the village and the entire Val di Fassa is Ladin, in its "Brach" variant as in San Giovanni di Fassa.
Physical geography
The territory of Soraga di Fassa is divided into two portions: one is located in the valley, with the town center at its center; the other is located at an altitude of about 20 kilometers, in the locality of Fuchiade ("Fuciade"), on the San Pellegrino pass, on the border with Falcade in Veneto.
History
Soraga is one of the oldest settlements in Val di Fassa, whose community dates back to 1143. The village was linked to the episcopal principality of Bressanone since its foundation in 1453. At that time, Soraga was composed of 17 farms and 97 inhabitants. Soraga was annexed to the Austrian Empire from 1803 to 1918, when it became part of the diocese of Trento. Towards the end of the 19th century, the population of the municipality was 469 inhabitants, while that of the entire Val di Fassa counted 4980 people.
The customs house
Being a border town, Soraga di Fassa had a customs house, called "Ciasa de le Onge", located between Piaz de Festil and Strada de Lgejia, which still bears the Bishop's coat of arms in sandstone dated 1521.
Change of name
In 2017, following the approval of regional law no. 3, the old official Italian name of the Soraga Municipality was changed to "Soraga di Fassa", while the Ladin name "Soraga" remained unchanged. The choice to change the name was dictated by tourist reasons.
In conclusion, Soraga di Fassa is a town rich in history and traditions, where the Ladin language represents an important cultural and identity value for the community. The area is immersed in unspoiled nature and represents an ideal destination for those seeking a holiday of sports, relaxation, and culture.
