Fraele Valley: dinosaur footprints discovered in Triassic Park
An important paleontological discovery has occurred in the Fraele Valley, where dinosaur footprints dating back to the Triassic period have been found, leading to the area being nicknamed Triassic Park. The event took place last September when a nature photographer spotted these traces on vertical dolomite walls, highlighting footprints of large animals that lived over 200 million years ago. The footprints, remarkably well-preserved despite the altitude, stretch for hundreds of meters and represent the most significant fossil footprint site from the Triassic in Europe. The discovery has been certified by experts from the Natural History Museum of Milan and the Stelvio National Park.
The revelation of the footprints takes on special significance as it coincides with the approach of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, creating a symbolic link between the past and the present. The president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, described this discovery as an “extraordinary gift from history,” emphasizing the cultural and scientific importance of the area. Future studies promise to reveal further details about the evolution of dinosaurs and the geology of the region, helping to enhance the Fraele Valley as a point of interest for researchers and visitors during the upcoming Olympic competitions.