Dolomites: Vandals throw Madonna statue from mountain peak

Vandals have targeted a Madonna statue on the Croda Granda peak in the Dolomites, located at an altitude of 2,849 meters. Using specialized tools, the perpetrators detached the “Madonnina” from its pedestal—where it has stood since the 1980s—and threw it down a rock chute.

In addition to the statue, the vandals destroyed two memorial plaques dedicated to hikers who died in the mountains and stole the summit register. The incident was discovered by two climbers, Gabriele Masoch and Daniel Rech, who climbed the peak following rumors of the statue's disappearance.

The municipality of Gosaldo has filed a formal complaint with the Carabinieri. Local residents and officials have expressed shock, noting that this incident is part of a growing trend of vandalism, theft, and property damage in the alpine region, which has previously led to the closure of certain mountain shelters.