DISCOVER VAL FIORENTINA
The guardian of the Dolomites
www.cervodelfertazza.com
This imposing wooden sculpture, seven meters high, is the Deer of Fertazza, created by the Venetian artist Marco Martalar with the remains of trees felled by the violent Vaia storm of 2018. A work that is not born from selected materials, but from what the mountain has returned broken, bent but not defeated.
The Deer, sculpted with irregular and wounded wood, has become a powerful symbol of strength, resilience, rebirth and respect for nature. It is a creature that does not forget the scars of the forest, but transforms them into beauty: each trunk, each twisted branch is a silent witness of what has been and a promise of what can still be reborn.
The Deer is born from what seemed lost, transforming broken wood into living art.
It is located in Selva di Cadore in Val Fiorentina, on top of Mount Fertazza at 2,100 meters above sea level, right in front of the Ristoro Belvedere, the Cervo dominates the Dolomites between Mount Civetta and Mount Pelmo, with a calm and majestic gaze.
It is a work that speaks without words: it tells of a natural tragedy and a creative response, a loss and a rebirth. And it is also an invitation, for each of us, to find meaning and beauty right there where life seems to have broken. Proud and silent, it watches over the mountains and invites every visitor - young and old - to stop, observe and listen: even from wounds new beauty can be born.
Marco Martalar lives and works on the Asiago Plateau.
Woods and nature are the lifeblood that fuels his creations. Artist and sculptor of large-scale public works made with recycled wood.
“I am a man of the woods, after Vaia I found myself walking through my mountains and encountering uprooted trees, exposed roots at every step... soon the discouragement turned into inspiration: I wanted to heal nature's wound by transforming it into a work of art that would preserve its memory but also give a sign of hope and rebirth”.
One evening a few years ago, Michela Torre, owner of the Ristoro Belvedere, called me. We didn't know each other, but her words were decisive: "A place this beautiful must have one of your works.
She told me about her desire to welcome a large animal into those mountains, carved from the wood that fell during the Vaia storm that powerful night at the end of October 2018 had also made itself felt there, among the peaks. I thought for a bit and then suggested a deer: majestic, with a good and strong soul.
Now, among the imposing Dolomites, between Civetta and Pelmo, that wooden creature rises. A work that is not just a sculpture, but a symbol of resilience and tenacity.
By the chairlift
With the ski lifts from the village of Pescul you can reach Mount Fertazza. To reach the top you will also need to go up with the second chairlift.
SEE TIMETABLE / PRICES / CHAIRLIFTS FERTAZZA
For hikers or mountain bikers
There are many access routes, via various marked paths that lead up here from the valley floor, starting from Selva di Cadore.
• ON FOOT FROM PESCUL (SELVA DI CADORE)
Difference in altitude 685m
Start from the square of the chairlift in Pescul di Selva di Cadore (1415m). Take the dirt road n 569 until you reach the Ristoro Fertazza (1852m). Continue following the signs for Cima Fertazza – Ristoro Belvedere.
Duration approximately 2 hours.
• ON FOOT FROM PALUI (SELVA DI CADORE)
Difference in altitude 1626m
Start from Palui (1474m) take the dirt road with the sign Cima Fertazza up to Forcella Pecol. From here continue following the signs for Cima Fertazza – Ristoro Belvedere.
Duration approximately 1.45 hours.
• ON FOOT FROM PASSO STAULANZA (VAL DI ZOLDO)
Difference in altitude 330m
Going up from Longarone towards Val di Zoldo along the state road (SP 251) that leads to Passo Staulanza, 500m before the pass on the left, take the dirt road that leads to Malga Fontanafreda (1768m). You can easily reach the malga by car. From here take the path to Cima Fertazza – Ristoro Belvedere.
Duration approximately 1 hour.
For those who want to extend the walk by about half an hour, you can leave the car at the crossroads of the state road or on Passo Staulanza.
