Wooden statue of Madonna stylizedWooden statue of Madonna stylized. This beautiful statue was entirely handmade in Val Gardena, in the Alpine region of Alto Adige located at the far north of the Italian peninsula. Woodcarving in Val Gardena has flourished since the 17th century, and since the 19th century, the region has gained international acclaim for exporting hand carved statues and altars to Catholic Churches around the world.