Karl Felix Wolff Books

The Dolomites, part of the Southern Alps, are renowned for their unique rock formations, light hues, and unspoiled nature. UNESCO recognized the Pale Mountains as a World Heritage Site, drawing tourists and nature lovers from around the world each year. This captivating landscape, often cool and daunting, has profoundly influenced its inhabitants, who have cultivated a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and mysteries. These stories, passed down through generations, form an essential part of the Dolomites' cultural heritage, captivating audiences of all ages. This compilation by Karl Felix Wolff (1879-1966), a prominent regional writer and explorer of legends, features well-known tales such as "King Laurin and the Alp-Glow" and "The Kingdom of the Fanes," alongside lesser-known narratives like "The Nightingale of the Sasslong," "Iron Hand," and "Merisana's Wedding." Wolff's journey began with tales shared by an elderly nanny from the Fassa Valley, inspiring him to become a journalist and writer. His relentless exploration of the Dolomites in search of forgotten legends highlights the significance of his work in preserving ancient Ladin myths. He passed away in Bolzano in 1966.

'Auch wenn Südtirol gar nichts anderes hätte als den Rosengarten und die Laurin-Sage, es wäre schon dadurch eines der herrlichsten Länder, so weit die deutsche Zunge klingt' – so hat Wolff selbst das zentrale Thema seiner Dolomitensagen beurteilt. Es ist das unsterbliche Lied vom kleinen rätischen König, der das blonde Edelfräulein Similde in sein Reich holen will, vom unüberwindlichen Gotenkönig Dietrich-Theoderich jedoch bezwungen wird. Da verflucht Laurin seinen Garten und verwandelt ihn in eine Steinwüste – aber in der Dämmerung zeigt sich heute noch die 'enrosadüra', wie es die Ladiner nennen, das Glühen der scheidenden Sonne als letzter Glanz der Rosenpracht von einst.