These imposing mountains are named after the Dolomia, a particular type of rock, very common around here.
It was named after the French naturalist Déodat de Dolomieu.
He was the first, back in 1700, to collect some samples of the rock while crossing the Trentino-South Tyrol region. He then sent them off to be analysed by a colleague of his, specialised in chemistry, and so he realised he had discovered a type of rock that nobody had ever described before.
Do grown-ups know?
Are you with your parents, or with your grandparents? Ask them what they know about the Dolomites. If they do not know why they bear this name, surprise them!