The Dolomites are characterized by the Ladin population, a minority in Italy. The Ladins are widespread in all the Dolomites valleys: the four valleys that are part of the Sella massif (Gardena, Val Badia, Val di Fassa, Livinallongo) and in the other valleys, such as Val Pettorina (with Rocca Pietore), Val Fiorentina (with Selva di Cadore), Val del Boite (with Cortina d'Ampezzo, San Vito di Cadore and other countries), Comelico.
Large studies have identified the characteristics of the Ladin language, culture, customs, traditions and architecture. The culture is a combination of the pre-Roman alpine populations – influencing both spoken and material culture; the Roman civilization – introducing the use of Latin; the Middle Ages – incorporating contact with new people (Bavari, Longobardi, etc.); and in more recent times the influences of several new dominant cultures (such as the Venetian, the Italian and the Austrian).
The high-medieval, medieval and modern influences, have molded the dolomites populations local culture, but only in a limited sense, thanks to the marginalization and the isolation of the Dolomites valleys. For example, the use of Latin influenced many cultures in the Romanized areas, and a particular language, the Ladin, was developed and is considered one of the Romance languages derived from Latin.
The isolation of the Dolomite valley has favoured the culture preservation, especially the language. However, the isolation has also blocked the creation of a "koiné" which unifies the language of the various valleys. The "gardenese, the badioto, the fassano, the rocchesano, the selvano, the ampezzano, the cadorino and the comelicese" are all Ladin vernaculars, but somewhat different from each other. There is currently a special effort to unify and create a "ladin koiné".
For several decades there has been a strong awareness Ladin culture and Ladin civilization. Because of its strong isolation, Selva di Cadore kept the characteristic traits of Ladin until the end of the 1800s. The rediscovery, preservation and revitalization of the ladin culture finds a valid support in the work of the "Selva Ladin Union", which has operated since the early 1980's with an extensive cultural program. The cultural programs include publications recovery of customs and traditions, clothing (the local Ladin costume, the suit "da maor festa") and the dance (the "Ladign de Selva Folk Group" and the related "Minifolk Group").
