Sëlva

Sëlva ( [ˈsɜlva] , German: Wolkenstein in Gröden; Italian: Selva di Val Gardena) is a comune (municipality) in the Val Gardena in South Tyrol, northern Italy, located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of the city of Bolzano. The Ladin place name derives from the Latin silva ("wood").

Geography

As of 30 December 2010, it had a population of 2,637 and an area of 53.2 square kilometres (20.5 sq mi). Sëlva borders the following municipalities: Badia, Campitello di Fassa, Canazei, Corvara, San Martin de Tor, and Santa Cristina Gherdëina.

It is perhaps best known as one of the starting points of the Sella Ronda ski tour.

History

Coat-of-arms

The emblem is quarterly, the first and third corners are per bend and per fess nebuly of argent and gules; the second and third corners are indented of azure and argent on a sable top. The emblem represents the insignia of the Lords of Wolkenstein who built the local castle in 1291. The emblem was adopted in 1968.

Society

Linguistic distribution

According to the 2011 census, 89.74% of the population speak Ladin, 5.11% Italian and 5.15% German as first language.