Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
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Latest update: 9 January 2024
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By: Dion Protani
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The Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps was announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The listing relates to 111 sites of stilt houses in the Alpine countries of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, France and 20 sites in northern Italy.
One of the best places to get a taste for what life in the dwellings was like is the Lake Ledro Stilt House Museum in Trentino. |
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Profile
The Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of a series of prehistoric settlements located in the Alpine region of Europe. These ancient pile dwellings are wooden structures built on stilts or piles, constructed over lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
The site showcases the remarkable architectural and engineering skills of prehistoric communities and provides valuable insights into their daily lives, culture, and interaction with the environment.
The site showcases the remarkable architectural and engineering skills of prehistoric communities and provides valuable insights into their daily lives, culture, and interaction with the environment.
History
The pile dwellings date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, between 5000 and 500 BC. The inhabitants of these settlements were early farming communities that sought refuge on lakeshores and wetlands.
The pile dwellings were constructed for practical reasons, offering protection from floods, wild animals, and potential enemies. Additionally, they allowed for easier access to resources such as fish and waterfowl, as well as fertile land for agriculture.
The pile dwellings were made primarily of wood, with various additional materials used for construction. The sites were gradually abandoned, and over time, many were covered by sediment, preserving them in an exceptional state of preservation.
The pile dwellings were constructed for practical reasons, offering protection from floods, wild animals, and potential enemies. Additionally, they allowed for easier access to resources such as fish and waterfowl, as well as fertile land for agriculture.
The pile dwellings were made primarily of wood, with various additional materials used for construction. The sites were gradually abandoned, and over time, many were covered by sediment, preserving them in an exceptional state of preservation.
Key features
- Pile Dwelling Sites: The site includes multiple pile dwelling settlements spread across six countries: Switzerland, Italy, Austria, France, Germany, and Slovenia.
- Museums and Interpretation Centers: Several museums and interpretation centers near the pile dwelling sites provide insights into prehistoric life, artifacts, and archaeological excavations.
- Boat Tours and Excursions: Some of the sites are accessible via boat tours, offering visitors a unique perspective on these ancient settlements from the water.
- Archaeological Parks: Some locations have been turned into archaeological parks with reconstructed pile dwellings, offering an immersive experience of prehistoric life.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are available at some sites, providing valuable information and context about the prehistoric communities that inhabited the pile dwellings.
- Accessibility: The accessibility of the sites varies, with some offering visitor facilities and others being more rustic and remote.
- Combination Tickets: In some regions, combination tickets are available for visiting multiple pile dwelling sites.
- Conservation Efforts: The UNESCO World Heritage Site status ensures the preservation and protection of these significant archaeological treasures.
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
Regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont
Regions continued: Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol, Veneto
Number of sites in Italy: 20
Date range of occupation: 5,000 - 1,000 BC
Regions continued: Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol, Veneto
Number of sites in Italy: 20
Date range of occupation: 5,000 - 1,000 BC
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
Year: 2011
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
Year: 2011
Italian Sites
Lombardy
Biandronno: Isolina Virginia - Camilla - Isola di San Biagio
Bodio Lomnago: Bodio Centrale o delle Monete
Cavriana: Bande - Corte Carpani
Cadrezzate: Il Sabbione o Settentrionale
Desenzano del Garda: Lavagnone
Manerba del Garda: San Sivino, Gabbiano
Monzambano: Castellaro Lagusello - Fondo Tacoli
Piadena: Lagazzi del Vho
Polpenazze del Garda: Lucone
Sirmione: Lugana Vecchia
Biandronno: Isolina Virginia - Camilla - Isola di San Biagio
Bodio Lomnago: Bodio Centrale o delle Monete
Cavriana: Bande - Corte Carpani
Cadrezzate: Il Sabbione o Settentrionale
Desenzano del Garda: Lavagnone
Manerba del Garda: San Sivino, Gabbiano
Monzambano: Castellaro Lagusello - Fondo Tacoli
Piadena: Lagazzi del Vho
Polpenazze del Garda: Lucone
Sirmione: Lugana Vecchia
