Thousands of Dinosaur Footprints Discovered in Italian National Park

A remarkable discovery of approximately 20,000 dinosaur footprints has been made in the Stelvio National Park, located near Bormio, Italy, which will be a venue for the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. This find, dating back about 210 million years to the Triassic Period, represents one of the largest known collections of dinosaur footprints in the world.

The footprints were uncovered by wildlife photographer Elio Della Ferrera, who initially set out to photograph deer and vultures in September. While focusing on a vertical rock wall nearly 2,000 feet above the nearest road, he noticed something unusual that prompted him to investigate further. His discovery has since captivated both scientists and the public alike.

Significance of the Discovery

Paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso from Milan’s Natural History Museum, who was alerted to the discovery, expressed his astonishment at the sheer number of footprints. “This time reality really surpasses fantasy,” he noted during a press conference. The prints are believed to belong to long-necked bipedal herbivores, resembling Plateosaurus, which could grow up to 33 feet long and weigh as much as 4 tons. Some tracks measure up to 40 centimeters in width and display distinct claw marks.

The footprints not only highlight a significant paleontological find but also indicate the social behavior of these dinosaurs. Evidence suggests that they traveled in groups, often forming circular patterns, possibly for protective purposes. “There are very obvious traces of individuals that have walked at a slow, calm, quiet rhythmic pace, without running,” Dal Sasso explained.

Challenges of the Location

The discovery site, positioned at an elevation between 7,900 and 9,200 feet above sea level, poses unique challenges for accessibility. The area, primarily shaded, made it difficult to spot the footprints without advanced photographic equipment. Della Ferrera commented, “The huge surprise was not so much in discovering the footprints, but in discovering such a huge quantity. There are really tens of thousands of prints up there, more or less well-preserved.”

The entrance to the park is situated just a mile from Bormio, where the Men’s Alpine skiing events will take place during the February 6-22, 2026 Games. Although the location is too remote for easy winter access, Attilio Fontana, the president of the Lombardy Region, hailed the find as a “gift for the Olympics.” Plans for public access to the site have yet to be established.

As the world prepares for the Winter Olympics, this extraordinary paleontological discovery adds a fascinating chapter to the rich geological history of the region. The footprints not only offer insights into the life of dinosaurs but also enhance the cultural significance of the area surrounding the Olympic venue.