La Guàna: art, nature and legend in the heart of the Primiero
La Guàna is a monumental work 7 meters high, created by the artist Marco Martalar using over 2000 pieces and roots of wood recovered from the forests devastated by storm Vaia.
In 2018, Storm Vaia hit the Alps and vast areas of Northern Italy hard, including our own, leaving deep marks on the landscape and life of local communities. However, from that destruction comes a powerful message: Marco Martalar has chosen to recover the fallen woods, transforming them into a work that becomes a symbol of resilience, rebirth and respect for the mountain.
The legend of the Guàna
In the tradition of Primiero, the Guàne were water-linked nymphs, who lived in harmony with streams and lakes. According to legend, they lived near the Sass de le Guàne, under Castèl Pietra, and represented the balance between man and nature, based on care and respect for places. The Guanas could come into contact with men, even starting a family, as long as no one tried to reveal their true nature. If the husband insisted on forcing them to reveal their secret, they would disappear forever.
When they were harassed or chased against their will, they took refuge in the water transforming themselves into otters, an animal that was a symbol of the community of Primiero. The Guàne-lontre soared in the current, vanishing in an instant.
Location of the Guàna and how to get there
The Guàna sculpture is located at the Navoi Wellness Park, in Primiero, and is easily reached on foot in about 15 minutes from the towns of Transacqua or Fiera di Primiero, along untrafficked paved roads, also ideal for families.
It is advisable to park in the large parking lot of the Primiero Bus Station / Swimming Pool, which is also convenient for the Fiera di Primiero ApT information office. There are few parking spaces in the area: we invite you not to leave your car outside the permitted spaces and to respect the surrounding meadows and private properties, to preserve the environment and the quality of the place.
