The spring Equinox
20th March
The spring equinox, which falls on March 20th or 21st, is a special time of year when day and night are of equal length. This is the moment when spring officially begins in the northern hemisphere, bringing with it a rebirth of nature and life after the winter months.
The Dolomites, with their unparalleled beauty and unique flora and fauna, offer an unforgettable spectacle in this season. Meadows turn green, flowers bloom, and animals emerge from their dens to enjoy the warmth of the sun.
One of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites to experience the spring equinox is Passo delle Erbe. This area is famous for its vast green meadows and rolling hills, which become an oasis of colorful flowers and animals emerging from their dens after the long winter.
In addition to Passo delle Erbe, the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park also offers excitement during the spring. The park is a protected area that transforms completely during the spring: snowmelt creates numerous streams and watercourses, many of which are visible only during this time of year.
Spring in the Dolomites is not only a time of rebirth for nature. It is also a season rich in traditions and festivals related to the Ladin culture, one of the oldest linguistic communities in the Alps.
The Ladins, in fact, have a long tradition of springtime celebrations related to the land and religion.
During the Easter period, there are many traditions and rituals still deeply felt in the villages of Val Badia, including "Porté a signé," which involves bringing lunch to church to be blessed on Easter Day, or the egg game "Le cufé," in which participants tap their own egg against their opponent's. The goal is to break both ends of the opponent's egg, which becomes the prize.
The arrival of spring also marks the beginning of the harvest period. According to tradition, it was the legendary salvans (legendary figures that populate the stories of the Dolomites) who would indicate to farmers when to start plowing. But before starting, farmers used to take off their hats and pray as a sign of respect for the land.
In Ladin culture, the spring equinox represents the rebirth of nature and the end of winter, a moment when the energy of the sun and the earth unite to create new life. The spring equinox is also a time to reflect on the connection between man and nature, an opportunity to renew this relationship and appreciate the beauty and fragility of our planet. It is a time to reflect on the need to protect and preserve the natural resources of the Dolomites and the world as a whole.
