Today, I want to share something extraordinary about Cortina d’Ampezzo—a unique feature that highlights its deep connection to nature and the community: the Regole d’Ampezzo. Maybe you’ve never heard of them, or perhaps they sound familiar, but you’re not sure what they mean. The Regole (Rules) are an ancient institution that unites certain valley families in a collective land management system. This fascinating and unique arrangement, with roots stretching back over a thousand years, is still alive today as an example of self-management, conservation, and respect for natural resources.
Imagine a community that, for centuries, has shared, protected, and cared for its forests, pastures, and grazing lands, passing down these values from generation to generation. Beyond this, the Regole are also guardians of a rich cultural and historical heritage, which you can discover at the local museums. These museums reveal the valley’s history and traditions, as well as its modern art and even the geological history of the Dolomites.
With this introduction, I hope to spark your curiosity and lead you to discover a hidden treasure in Cortina, where past and present meet to ensure a sustainable future for the valley and its people.
The historical legacy of the Regole d’Ampezzo
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Regole d’Ampezzo represents one of Europe’s oldest and most fascinating examples of collective ownership.
Dating back over 1,000 years, the Regole consists of Regolieri, or members of Ampezzo families, who jointly manage a large portion of the territory in co-ownership. This management system was created to ensure shared and responsible use of the valley’s natural resources, such as forests and pastures, essential for the traditional farming lifestyle.
In a time when Cortina relied on livestock and agriculture rather than tourism, every farmer needed access to land for grazing and cultivation, ensuring the community’s livelihood and fairness.
Even today, these lands are unalienable and indivisible, making them a natural and cultural legacy passed down through generations. The Regole d’Ampezzo prevented numerous speculative developments that could have harmed the area.
Sustainable land management of forests and pastures
The Regole d’Ampezzo manages around 16,000 hectares of forests and pastures. Its management follows a sustainable, nature-based forestry approach, with regulations on woodcutting and timber sales. This allows for collecting firewood and building materials and provides economic support. The Regolieri enjoy the right to gather wood, which ensures each family access to firewood for heating and construction. Some mountain huts are still used for grazing livestock and producing milk and cheese, while the Regole also maintains paths and forest roads.
Quick information
The Regole d’Ampezzo is a model of collective ownership, a different concept of property. For centuries, the forests and pastures around Cortina d’Ampezzo have belonged to the original community under a system of collective ownership.
The Regole originated from the need of the valley’s first permanent settlers to manage forests and pastures together. The survival challenges of a harsh mountainous environment encouraged a shared and undivided use of natural resources. Initially, there were two Regole — Ambrizola – Falzarego and Larieto — which later expanded; today, there are eleven, and they have been unified under a communal organization since 1960.
For long periods, the communal use of forests and pastures was the leading resource for the people of Ampezzo. This established guidelines for the relationship between people and the environment and facilitated the sustainable management of the valley’s natural landscape.
This ancient institution governs the collective rights to use and manage the land, which cannot be sold or divided: it is a unified natural, cultural, and economic heritage passed down to future generations as shared property, where conservation and production needs align.
The Regolieri are the heads of families descended from the original Ampezzo lineages. The Regolieri manage the community’s assets according to the Laudi, ancient regulations approved by the assembly of family heads.
The Marigo is a vital figure chosen annually and serves for a full year. He is appointed by a group called the Rappresentanza di Regola, a council of twenty-four people. The Marigo cannot refuse the role without a valid reason; if he does, he risks losing his rights within the community.
The Marigo oversees the pastures and ensures everything functions properly, including roads, bridges, fences, and equipment. He also monitors the shepherds to ensure they manage the livestock correctly and do not accept unauthorized animals.
The Marigo ensures that all regulations are followed when livestock are taken to the pastures. He inspects the animals’ health records, verifies the allowed number, and participates in moving the livestock between pastures. He also sets when animals must leave the pastures, especially if the number falls below twelve heads.
Without Marigo’s permission, no one can add or remove animals from the pastures.
The Scenìco – Šenico – is an assistant to the Marigo, elected annually by the Rappresentanza (council) to support him in his duties. However, the role of the Šeniche and the succession to the Marigo differ between the two Regoles: the Regola Alta of Ambrizola and the Regola Alta of Larieto.
In the Regola Alta of Ambrizola, it is the 2nd Scenìco who takes over the role of Marigo at the end of the annual term. The 1st Scenìco is responsible for replacing the 2nd in case of absence, and when the 2nd Scenìco completes his term, the 1st Scenìco takes his place.
In the Regola Alta of Larieto, the process is the opposite: the 1st Scenìco is designated to become the Marigo at the end of the annual term, while the 2nd Scenìco would step in for the 1st if needed. Similarly, at the end of the 1st Scenìco’s term, the 2nd Scenìco assumes his position.
This system ensures that in both Regole, there is always someone prepared to take on the role of Marigo, with solid experience in the work.
In addition to managing the natural heritage, the Regole aim to preserve and promote the local culture, language, and traditions of Ampezzo. The Italian state recognizes this community institution through specific laws, ensuring its protection. Since 1990, the Regole d’Ampezzo have also administered the Dolomiti d’Ampezzo Natural Park.
The Museums of the Regole d’Ampezzo: Preserving Cortina’s Culture
The Regole are also dedicated to preserving and enhancing Ampezzo’s historical, scientific, and linguistic heritage through three museums that tell the story of the valley and its people:
Museum of Modern Art “Mario Rimoldi”
This museum, founded in 1974, is in the Ciasa de ra Regoles. It houses the collection of Mario Rimoldi, a Cortina native and art enthusiast who gathered works by 20th-century Italian artists, including De Chirico, Carrà, Sironi, and Campigli. This collection is considered one of Italy’s most important modern art collections and is a critical cultural landmark in Cortina.
Ethnographic Museum of the Regole d’Ampezzo
Situated at Via Marangoi, it explores Ampezzo traditions with an extensive collection of everyday items, costumes, agricultural tools, and historical photos. Visitors can immerse themselves in the valley’s daily life and traditional activities.
Paleontological Museum “Rinaldo Zardini”
Also housed in the Ciasa de ra Regoles, this museum contains a rich collection of Dolomite fossils. Thanks to the passion of collector Rinaldo Zardini, the museum showcases specimens dating back millions of years, when the Dolomites were submerged under the sea, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s geological history.
The Ciasa de ra Regoles: The Heart of History and Nature Conservation
Since 1959, the headquarters of the Regole d’Ampezzo has been the historic Ciasa de ra Regoles, a building in the heart of Cortina that represents the community’s long-standing tradition of self-management. Adorned with the coats of arms of the eleven Regole, the building houses a few exhibition rooms and is an essential landmark for locals and visitors alike.
The structure is located in central Cortina and is easily recognizable for its traditional architecture and historical charm. However, this “House of the Rules” is not just an administrative building—it’s also a cultural and museum space, playing a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Ampezzo identity.
Inside the Ciasa de ra Regoles, various exhibition rooms host temporary and permanent art, history, and tradition displays. One of the main attractions is the collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by both local and international artists. This allows visitors to explore the blend of tradition and innovation. There is often a significant focus on documenting farming life and preserving traditional craftsmanship, skills passed down through generations.
The offices of the Dolomites d’Ampezzo Natural Park are also located within the Ciasa de ra Regoles. This is significant, as the park is vital in conserving and managing the Dolomites’ natural environment.
Having the park offices in the Ciasa de ra Regoles promotes collaboration among local authorities, the community, and visitors. The park also provides information on hiking, outdoor activities, and educational events, fostering a responsible and respectful approach to the Dolomites’ ecosystem.
Conclusion: A Living Model of tradition and environmental Respect
With this description of the Regole d’Ampezzo, I wanted to highlight not only Cortina’s extraordinary tradition of self-management but also the community’s commitment to preserving its cultural and natural heritage. This unique model promotes sustainability and respect for nature, offering an inspiring example of harmonious coexistence with the environment.