A striking new landmark has appeared in the heart of the Dolomites with the unveiling of “La Guàna del Primiero,” an impressive 7-metre wooden sculpture crafted from more than 2,000 pieces of timber and roots recovered after the devastating Storm Vaia in 2018. The monumental work — created by celebrated wood artist Marco Martalar — now stands proudly at Parco del Benessere del Navoi as a powerful symbol of rebirth and resilience.
Martalar, known for transforming fallen Vaia wood into evocative large-scale art, assembled the sculpture using branches, roots and other salvaged wood from forests damaged by the storm. The result is a towering figure that both reflects the legendary Guàne of Primiero folklore — mythical nymphs tied to waterways and natural harmony — and celebrates nature’s capacity to heal after disaster.
Commissioned by the Comune di Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, “La Guàna del Primiero” is rooted in local myth and culture, offering visitors and residents alike a contemplative meeting point between art, nature and heritage. The sculpture’s presence in the Navoi Wellness Park enriches the region’s vibrant landscape, inviting reflection on memory, loss and renewal. Martalar’s work joins a growing collection of Vaia-inspired installations across Trentino that embrace themes of transformation, environmental memory and artistic dialogue with the Alpine forest.
