Vaia Eagle in Marcesina
In the evocative plain of Marcesina, where nature unleashed its full fury during the Vaia storm of 2018, the majestic Vaia Eagle now stands tall — one of the most extraordinary works by sculptor Marco Martalar. At 7 meters high and 5 meters long, this impressive wooden sculpture is the largest eagle in Europe and a powerful testament to how art can transform devastation into beauty.
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The sculpture was born from the roots, trunks, and branches of trees torn from the earth by the violent storm that turned these forests into a landscape of destruction. Martalar, working from his studio in Mezzaselva di Roana, patiently collected these remnants of wounded nature and gave them new life through his art. Weighing over 1,600 kilograms, the eagle was assembled using thousands of wooden pieces—mostly larch, beech, and spruce—sourced from within just one kilometer of where the artwork now stands.
The eagle, a traditional symbol of Trentino evoking strength and freedom, rises into the sky of the Marcesina plateau with wings wide open, as if ready to take flight. Its gaze is fixed on the forests once ravaged by the storm—forests that are now, little by little, coming back to life. The sculpture embodies not only the destructive power of nature, but also its incredible ability to regenerate and be reborn.
Located in the locality of Barricata, in the municipality of Grigno, the Vaia Eagle is easily accessible via a short five-minute walk from the Rifugio Barricata parking area. The work blends perfectly into the plateau’s landscape, becoming an integral part of a place that tells a story of resilience and hope. Where once stood one of Europe’s largest logging sites for clearing storm-felled trees, today art honors the deep connection between humanity and nature—transforming a memory of loss into a symbol of rebirth that draws visitors from all over the world.
