On June 26th 2009 the Dolomites have been inscribed in the World Heritage List because of their exceptional beauty and unique landscape and scientific importance from the geological and geomorphological point of view. UNESCO has so far approved 689 cultural, 176 natural and 25 mixed properties in 148 countries in the world.

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"The nine components of The Dolomites World Heritage property protect a series of highly distinctive mountain landscapes that are of exceptional natural beauty. Their dramatic vertical and pale coloured peaks in a variety of distinctive sculptural forms is extraordinary in a global context. This property also contains an internationally important combination of Earth science values. The quantity and concentration of highly varied limestone formations is extraordinary in a global context, whilst the superbly exposed geology provides an insight into the recovery of marine life in the Triassic period, after the greatest extinction event recorded in the history of life on Earth. The sublime, monumental and colourful landscapes of the Dolomites have also long attracted hosts of travellers and a history of scientific and artistic interpretations of its values."

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"J'ai donc observé que les montagnes du Tyrol, dont les sommets, sont formées de roches composées de différentes espèces, les unes en masses, le plus grand nombre fissiles. Le prolongement de ces bancs forme ces pointes aiguës, ces crêtes déchirées, ces arêtes qui caractérisent et indiquent de loin les montagnes dites primitives..." (Déodat de Doiomieu, 1791)

„Les Dolomites sont les plus belles constructions du monde" (Le Corbusier, 1950 ca.)

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"They are unlike any other mountains, and are to be seen nowhere else among the Alps. They arrest the attention by the singularity and picturesqueness of their forms, by their sharp peaks or horns, sometimes rising up in pinnacles and obelisks, at others extending in serrated ridges, teethed like the jaw of an alligator..." (John Murray, 1837)

"Avvicinatevi, vi prego, esaminate questo spettacolo che senza ombra di dubbio è una delle cose più belle, potenti e straordinarie di cui questo pianeta disponga. Sono pietre o sono nuvole? Sono vere oppure è un sogno?" (Dino Buzzati, 1956)

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„Ihre physiognomische Gestaltung erinnert an die lieblich-phantastische Berglandschaft, mit welcher Leonardo da Vinci das Bild der Mona Lisa als Hintergrund schmückte." (Alexander von Humboldt, 1845)
„Die Dolomiten sind unverwechselbar: in ihrer Formenvielfalt, Geologie und vor allem im Landschaftsbild. Und wie für mich ist diese Felslandschaft auch für viele andere Kenner die schönste der Welt." (Reinhold Messner, 2007)