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Overview
Baselga di Piné is located on the high Piné Plateau, and sits just
northeast of the capital city of Trento. The village of Baselga is the
administrative seat and the economic, tourist, cultural and
religious center for the municipality of Baselga di Piné. The
municipality of Baselga di Piné is made up of ten areas:
Baselga, Faida, Miola, Montagnaga, Ricaldo, San Mauro,
Tressilla, and Vigo. It sits at 967 meters above sea level
surrounded by a lake and mountains. The town has a population
of roughly 4700 inhabitants. Tourism is important to the
economy, driving the numerous service accommodations of the
area. The Serraia and Piazze Lakes, Congress Center, and
International Ice Rink make Baselga one of the most famous
resorts in Trentino.
Characteristic churches provide a unique attraction to the area, which includes the
ancient church of Santa Maria Assunta. The church was constructed with unique features
and employed different styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influence.
The plateau is also famous for the “
Sanctuary of the Appearance," where the Virgin Mary
is said to have appeared before a young shepherdess in 1729. The site of the appearance
is located in Montagnaga and is comemerated to this day.
Mining has been present in the plateau since the Middle Ages. The Cembra Valley looks
like a deep and narrow furrow, dug by the Avisio Stream, around which there is an
expanse of sunny terraces used for vine cultivation of renowned wines and excellent
brandies. The Piné Plateau, as well as the Cembra Valley, is also famous for its rich
folklore and musical traditions. The area boasts hundreds of active choirs and musical
ensembles.
Etymology of the Name
Baselga di Piné and the entire plateau have ancient roots. The Pinč name has ancient origins
as well. It appears the Piné name originated from Fagitano, which draws its
origin from the word Faiten. (In the ancient language the word Faiten meant pine.)
Subsequently, with the Roman Empire conquest of the area the name was transformed
to the Latin form of Pinetum or Pinedum, that is pineta, meaning a rich place of pine
plants. The Piné designation first appeared on 20 May 1160 and has been used since.
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