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Laas Marble (also referred to as “Lasa Marble”) is a highly prized and valuable natural material with exceptional properties. Since the 18th century, the natural stone has been quarried in the area surrounding the 2,962-metre-high Jennwand massif, known in Italian as Croda Jenne, above the villages of Laas (Italian: Lasa) and Schlanders (Italian: Silandro) in the Vinschgau (Italian: Val Venosta) region of South Tyrol, transported into the valley and processed. The first quarries and mining leases are documented as early as 1777.
In the mid-1860s, an independent marble industry began to emerge and establish itself permanently in Laas. Laas Marble experienced its first major economic and artistic flourishing between 1880 and 1910, when it was used worldwide in art and sculpture. Numerous monuments, memorials and sculptures still bear witness to this period today.
From the 1930s onwards, a large-scale marble industry developed in Laas, profoundly shaping quarrying, processing and international distribution, with lasting effects that continue to the present day. Today, Laas Marble is used primarily in the construction industry, while at the same time experiencing renewed appreciation in the artistic sphere.
The Laas Marble Wiki aims to provide all interested readers with a comprehensive insight into the millennia-old history, processing and use of marble, while also documenting important works made from Laas Marble throughout the world.
The wiki is divided into several thematic sections:
„Public Works“ This directory documents publicly accessible works made from Laas Marble from both the past and the present. The collection is divided into public monuments and public buildings.
„Image Archiv“ The image archive complements the “Public Works” directory. While the latter records the works in textual form, the image archive provides photographic documentation of the listed objects.
„Big Monuments“ This section is dedicated to extraordinary monumental historical works made from Laas Marble.
„Artists“ The artists’ directory presents contemporary sculptors and stonemasons who have created works from or with Laas Marble during at least the past three decades.
„Page history“ This section guides readers through the long history of Laas Marble processing, whose origins reach back to the Neolithic period.
„Topics & Stories“ Here readers will find in-depth articles, stories and background reports on the historical and contemporary use of Laas Marble, complemented by images and documentation.
The sections “Public Works”, “Image Archiv” and “Artists” are open to user submissions. If you are aware of historical or contemporary works made from Laas Marble, or if you have personally created works using Laas Marble, we would be pleased to receive your information and contributions for publication in the Laas Marble Wiki.
Contact: info@lasamarmo.it
