Cinque Torri, One Clear Afternoon in the Dolomites
Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S; 18 mm; 0,3 Sec; ISO 100
Our visit to Cinque Torri in the Dolomites was perfectly timed. After few
days with fog that hid the mountains, the afternoon welcomed us with clear
skies and warm light. It was almost too perfect! A few more clouds to
catch some dramatic sunset colours wouldn’t have hurt, but the conditions
were still ideal for photography, bathing the landscape in soft tones and
contrast.
Tamron 70-200 mm f/2.8; 75 mm; 0,5 Sec; ISO 100
We started walking uphill from the rifugio, and after about thirty minutes,
the landscape slowly revealed itself. There wasn’t a single “wow” moment at
first — just a gradual opening, as if the mountains were allowing us in.
Then suddenly, everywhere I looked, there were peaks. Sharp, dramatic, and
unmistakably Dolomitic. Formed over time by wind, weather, and patience,
they stood quietly around us, completely unaware of how impressive they
are.
Tamron 70-200 mm f/2.8; 82 mm; 1/5 Sec; ISO 100
Cinque Torri is known for its 360-degree views, and it didn’t take long
to understand why. From almost any angle, you can see the Tofane, Averau,
and Nuvolau massifs stretching into the distance. I found myself stopping
constantly, not because I was tired, but because every direction felt
worth looking at for a little longer.
Nikkor 14-30 mm f/4 S; 15,5 mm; 1/25 Sec; ISO 100
What stayed with me the most, though, was the feeling of walking through
a place where beauty and history exist side by side. As I wandered through
the rocky terrain, I began noticing signs of something much heavier.
During World War I, this peaceful area was anything but peaceful. It was a
strategic battlefield between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces, used as
an artillery observation post. The traces of that time are still here
carved into the rocks, quietly present.
Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S; 21 mm; 1/25 Sec; ISO 100
Today, Cinque Torri is an open-air museum. Trenches and bunkers are
scattered across the landscape, and you’re free to walk through them at your
own pace. Standing inside those narrow stone corridors, surrounded by
silence and mountains, it’s hard not to imagine the lives of the
soldiers who once fought here. It’s a stark reminder that war reaches
even the most remote and inhospitable places — not because of the land
itself, but because of human conflict.
Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S; 30 mm; 1/25 Sec; ISO 100
The Cinque Torri themselves or the Five Towers, rise from the ground like
sculptures. Though the name suggests five distinct formations, the area is
made up of several massive blocks of dolomitic rock, with Torre Grande
standing tallest among them. Each tower has its own name, but together
they feel like a single presence, watching quietly over the
landscape.
Getting to Cinque Torri is easy, whether you choose to hike or take the
cable car. Some people come here for long walks, others for climbing or
skiing, depending on the season. I came mostly to wander, to look, and to
think. And for that, one clear afternoon was more than enough.
Composition Tip:
Use paths as leading lines or rocks with interesting shapes or
textures to give depth to mountain scenes.
Gear used:
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Camera: Nikon Z6 II
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Lens: Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S and Tamron 70-200 mm f/2.8
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Tripod: Leo Photo & Rollei Ball Head
Location: CINQUE TORRI, Dolomites, Italy
Time of year: October, pre-sunset, sunset and post-sunset