# Sëlva

> municipality in South Tyrol, Italy

**Wikidata**: [Q499129](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q499129)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sëlva)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/s-lva

## Summary
Sëlva, also known as Wolkenstein in Gröden or Selva di Val Gardena, is a municipality located in the autonomous province of South Tyrol in northern Italy. Situated within the Dolomites mountain range, it serves as a hub for nearby human settlements and is geographically defined by its coordinates at 46.555751° N, 11.760564° E. With a population fluctuating between 2,602 and 2,621 residents, it is an integral part of the Italian administrative structure and the broader South Tyrol region.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Sëlva (also known as Wolkenstein in Gröden and Selva di Val Gardena).
*   **Classification:** Municipality (comune) of Italy.
*   **Location:** South Tyrol, Trentino-South Tyrol region, Italy.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 46.555751, Longitude 11.760564.
*   **Population:** Recorded figures include 2,613, 2,621, and 2,602.
*   **Parent Country:** Italy (Republic established June 18, 1946; Kingdom proclaimed March 17, 1861).
*   **Parent Province:** South Tyrol (Autonomous province established in 1948).
*   **Website:** http://www.comune.selvadivalgardena.bz.it.
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q38 (Country context), specific entity ID implied by context.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Sëlva.
*   **Sitelink Count:** 55 language versions of the Wikipedia article.
*   **Connected Settlements:** Merch-Linacia, La Sëlva, Plan da Tieja, La Poza, Daunëi.
*   **Nearby Landmarks:** Sella Pass, Puez-Geisler Nature Park, Saslonch mountain, Castle Wolkenstein, Fischburg building.
*   **Nature Park Association:** Puez-Geisler Nature Park (Inception: October 31, 1977; updated January 1, 1999).
*   **Historical Building:** Fischburg (Inception: January 1, 1621).
*   **Climate Alliance Membership:** Member of the Climate Alliance network (Inception: March 30, 1992).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Sëlva within Italy?**
Sëlva is a municipality (comune) situated in the autonomous province of South Tyrol, which is part of the Trentino-South Tyrol region. It operates under the broader sovereignty of the Italian Republic, which was established in its current form following the 1946 constitutional referendum.

**Which specific settlements and landmarks are located within or near Sëlva?**
The municipality encompasses several human settlements including Merch-Linacia, La Sëlva, Plan da Tieja, La Poza, and Daunëi. It is also home to the historic Fischburg building, established in 1621, and is in close proximity to the Sella Pass, the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, the Saslonch mountain, and Castle Wolkenstein.

**What are the demographic and geographic specifics of the area?**
Sëlva is located at coordinates 46.555751° N and 11.760564° E within the Dolomites. Its population has been recorded at various points as 2,613, 2,621, and 2,602 residents. The area is part of the Climate Alliance, a network dedicated to protecting the global climate, which was founded in 1992.

**How is Sëlva connected to the Puez-Geisler Nature Park?**
Sëlva is geographically associated with the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, a protected area in the Dolomites. The park was originally established on October 31, 1977, and underwent a significant update or re-establishment on January 1, 1999, within the country of Italy.

## Why It Matters
Sëlva represents a critical node in the cultural and geographical landscape of the South Tyrol region, bridging the gap between traditional Alpine communities and modern Italian administration. Its significance lies in its role as a municipality that preserves the unique Ladin heritage and geography of the Dolomites while participating in international environmental initiatives like the Climate Alliance. The presence of historic structures like Fischburg and its proximity to major natural landmarks such as the Sella Pass and Puez-Geisler Nature Park make it a focal point for both historical preservation and ecological tourism. As part of the autonomous province of South Tyrol, it exemplifies the complex political and cultural integration of German, Italian, and Ladin influences within the European Union.

## Notable For
*   **Dual Nomenclature:** Known officially as Sëlva, but also widely recognized by its German name, Wolkenstein in Gröden, and Italian name, Selva di Val Gardena.
*   **Historical Architecture:** Home to Fischburg, a building with a documented inception date of January 1, 1621.
*   **Environmental Stewardship:** Active member of the Climate Alliance, a network of municipalities committed to climate protection since 1992.
*   **Geographical Proximity:** Located near the iconic Sella Pass and the Saslonch mountain in the Dolomites.
*   **Nature Park Integration:** Situated adjacent to the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, a protected area established in 1977.
*   **Settlement Cluster:** Contains distinct sub-localities such as Merch-Linacia, La Sëlva, Plan da Tieja, La Poza, and Daunëi.
*   **Castle Association:** Closely linked to Castle Wolkenstein, a significant landmark in the South Tyrol region.
*   **Digital Presence:** Maintains an official website at http://www.comune.selvadivalgardena.bz.it and holds 55 Wikipedia sitelinks.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Sëlva is a municipality situated in the South Tyrol province of Italy, specifically within the Trentino-South Tyrol region. Its precise geographic location is defined by the coordinates 46.555751° North latitude and 11.760564° East longitude. The municipality is embedded in the Dolomites mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site contextually linked to nearby landmarks. It shares its territory with several smaller human settlements, including Merch-Linacia, La Sëlva, Plan da Tieja, La Poza, and Daunëi. The area is geographically defined by its proximity to the Sella Pass, a major mountain pass in the Dolomites, and the Saslonch mountain.

### Administrative and Political Structure
As a *comune* of Italy, Sëlva operates under the administrative framework of the Italian Republic. The country's current republican status dates back to June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum, though the Kingdom of Italy was originally proclaimed on March 17, 1861. Sëlva falls under the jurisdiction of the autonomous province of South Tyrol, which gained its autonomous status in 1948. The municipality is part of the broader Italian state, which is a unitary parliamentary republic with Rome as its capital. Sëlva is also a member of the Climate Alliance, an international network of cities and municipalities founded on March 30, 1992, to protect the global climate.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Sëlva has been recorded with slight variations in different datasets, showing figures of 2,613, 2,621, and 2,602. These numbers reflect the demographic scale of a small Alpine municipality. The entity is linked to the Italian national context, which has a population of approximately 58.85 million as of 2023. The municipality's data is integrated into the Wikidata knowledge graph, where it is associated with the country entity Q38 (Italy) and has a sitelink count of 55 across various language editions of Wikipedia.

### Historical Landmarks and Architecture
The municipality contains significant historical structures that date back centuries. Notably, Fischburg is a building located within Sëlva with an inception date of January 1, 1621. The area is also closely associated with Castle Wolkenstein, a castle located in South Tyrol. These structures contribute to the historical continuity of the region, which has evolved from the Kingdom of Italy to the modern Republic. The presence of these landmarks underscores the municipality's role in preserving the architectural heritage of the Dolomites.

### Natural Environment and Protected Areas
Sëlva is intrinsically linked to the natural beauty of the Dolomites. It is situated near the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, a protected area that was established on October 31, 1977, and later updated on January 1, 1999. The park is located in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy. The municipality is also in the vicinity of the Sella Pass, a key mountain pass, and the Saslonch mountain. These natural features define the local ecosystem and are central to the region's identity as a destination for nature and outdoor activities.

### Digital Presence and Information
Sëlva maintains a digital footprint through its official website, accessible at http://www.comune.selvadivalgardena.bz.it. The entity is well-represented in digital encyclopedias, with a Wikipedia article titled "Sëlva" available in 55 different languages. In the Wikidata database, the municipality is linked to the country Italy and has a sitelink count of 55. The entity is also associated with the Climate Alliance, which has a sitelink count of 11, indicating its recognition within international environmental networks. The municipality's data is structured to be machine-readable, facilitating its use in knowledge graphs and semantic web applications.

### Related Entities and Connections
The municipality of Sëlva is connected to a network of related entities that define its context. It is part of the "comune of Italy" classification, which includes 60 sitelinks. It is geographically and administratively linked to South Tyrol, which has 105 sitelinks. The area is also connected to the Puez-Geisler Nature Park (11 sitelinks), Sella Pass (18 sitelinks), and Saslonch (17 sitelinks). Specific settlements within the municipality, such as Merch-Linacia, La Sëlva, Plan da Tieja, La Poza, and Daunëi, each have their own sitelink counts ranging from 5 to 7. The historical building Fischburg has 6 sitelinks, and Castle Wolkenstein has 5. These connections highlight the interconnected nature of the region's geography, history, and administration.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](http://www.klimabuendnis.org/nc/kommunen/das-netzwerk.html)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
8. Name Suggestion Index
9. Seismic classification in Italy
10. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)