As reported in October, the mountain peak of Croda Granda in the Dolomites was the scene of a sacrilegious act when a statue of the Madonna, which was placed on the summit for over 40 years, was thrown into a ravine in late September. The statue was found by two hikers at a lower altitude. The municipality has taken a harsh stance against those who commit such a "senseless desecration" on a local religious landmark.
The statue of the Virgin Mary had stood on the summit on Croda Granda in the Pale di San Martino for over 40 years. Following its forcible removal, it was subsequently spotted in a ravine by two hikers at a lower elevation. Along with it, two commemorative plaques of lost hikers were also torn from their place. The recovery of the statue reportedly required a technically difficult alpine operation because of the steep, inaccessible terrain.
According to the municipality, it was confirmed that the statue had not fallen accidentally but had been intentionally detached from its place.
The municipal administration condemned the act, noting that reaching the summit requires considerable effort and that tools would have been needed to remove the installations. A city administrator stated: "Anyone who climbs to high altitudes equipped with tools to destroy and eradicate the symbols of our peaks is not a hiker." The act was further called a "clear-eyed and senseless desecration."
Sources: ildolomiti, renovatio21, suedtirolnews
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