La foresta dei Violini

Foresta dei Violini

The Norway spruce growing in the Paneveggio forest is the key to the secrets of master string-instrument makers

The Norway spruce growing in the Val di Fiemme is the key to the age-old secret for manufacturing a perfect violin. Master string-instrument makers, such as renowned Stradivaris, would travel to the forest from Cremona to purchase the best wood pieces and turn them into perfect musical instruments. Legend has it that Stradivari himself used to wander about the Paneveggio forest in search for suitable trees to make his violins. He was said to look specifically for the resonance provided by spruce woods, particularly age-old Norway spruces. Norway spruce wood is indeed especially elastic. It spreads the sound flawlessly, while its lymph channels are just like tiny organ pipes, working as resonance. The Violins' Forest can be reached from the Paneveggio Visitor Information Centre and is located just a short distance away from Lake Forte Buso on national road no. 50, which takes visitors from Predazzo to Rolle Pass.