The village of Laas

world famous for its marble

Laas

At the foot of the Vinschger Sonnenberg in the middle of the Vinschgau Valley lies Laas at 868 m above sea level, about 5 km from Schlanders, in the direction of the Reschen Pass. Our village is the ideal starting point for various mountain- hiking- or biking tours or many other leisure activities. Laas the marble village offers relaxation and recreation in the midst of an enchanting natural landscape surrounded by apple trees and orchards. The agricultural contrast between the north and south side of the valley is impressive: the dry and barren slopes of the sunny side rise steeply to the Urstein peaks of the Ötztal Alps. Pure nature and, above all, recreation are the top priorities here: Hiking up to the Laaser Spitze at over 3,000 m, biking on the numerous trails in the area. An exploration of the village center is always worthwhile. The parish church dates back to the 12th century and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. A special highlight: the apse was made entirely of marble from Lasa. In the marble quarry above the village, the world-famous marble is quarried. In the village you can see witnesses of this “white gold” everywhere. The skill for this is taught in the well-known local stonemason school.

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Lasa marble, the white gold

Lasa marble is extracted from the Jennwandstock near Lasa in Val Venosta (South Tyrol) in the “Weißwasserbruch” (white water quarry) at an altitude of 1,526 m in an open pit underground mine.

It is a rock that has undergone a particular genetic process called metamorphosis, which consists in a recrystallization of the original matter, in this case a limestone, at a temperature of 500°-600° C as well as under a considerable pressure (from 3,000 to 10,000 bar).

Under the above conditions, therefore, the structure of the original limestone is transformed, which finally acquires that granular and sugary consistency that is typical of the Lasa marble, which is called crystalline limestone. The marble appears uniform-grained, compact, with fine crystal grain, is frost-resistant, has excellent chemical, physical and mechanical properties. The Laas marble is characterized by the fact that it is very easy to work and can be excellently, highly polished, showing off its particular luster, chromatic properties and transparency. Because of its good resistance to pressure and bending, its exceptional resistance to atmospheric agents and its hardness, it is suitable for all uses in architecture, construction and art.

LASA MARMO, thanks to its modern and technologically advanced facilities, has succeeded in processing the rich Laas marble deposits under favorable conditions and in creating a quarrying and transport system that solves the difficulties resulting from the exposed geographical position in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Marble stands for durability, beauty, art, and the Lasa marble, of the highest value, indestructible, known for centuries, unsurpassed since time immemorial, also means the future.

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