Dolomites UNESCO World Natural Heritage!

On June 26, 2009, the UNESCO Council nominated the Dolomites as a Natural World Heritage Site. This is what the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) says:
The Dolomites display unparalleled geological, botanical and scenic qualities, which make them stand out among all the mountain ranges of the world. They especially stressed the variety of herbs and flowers that can be found here. The Dolomites feature over 2,400 types of plant and an extended Nature Reserve and National Park area (a total of approx. 142,000 ha).
UNESCO lists all protected natural paradises of the world, which deserve special protection. During their 33rd annual congress, which took place in Seville, Spain, on June 27, 2009, they included the Dolomites on this list. The list contains 199 landscapes, 50 of which are in Europe, which have been nominated UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites. Next to the Aeolian Islands, the Dolomites are the second natural world heritage site included on this list.

Die Bletterbach Gorge - Canyon of South Tyrol.
The gorge gives you a view of the world of stones. The canyon came about through weathering and erosion. Since the Ice Age (about 15,000 years ago), Bletterbach creek has been carving its way across a section of about 8 kilometers, up to 400 m deep into different geological eras. Over time, it exposed layer upon layer of rock formations. It washed away 10 billion tons of sediment. Now, we can read these strata as if reading a book. In contrast to the complicated and confusing situation in other parts of the Alps, the strata in the canyon of the Bletterbach Gorge are intact and the structure of the rocks gives an insight into their creation, the climate, and the environment 250 million years ago.
In addition, the tracks of prehistoric reptiles have been found in the Gröden sandstone strata.
Well-preserved imprints of plant parts and numerous traces of animal activity (of eating and burrowing) provide information about the flora and fauna of the time.

TIP: Adventure trip through the Bletterbach Gorge!s
More info Bletterbach Gorge - Canyon of South Tyrol