Green expanses of enchanted woods and stretches of water that seem drawn from one tale. Fantasy? Absolutely not: a reality, told with skilful mastery by the special hand of nature. The crystalline splendors in Italy are certainly not in short supply, whether it is virgin beaches or clear lakes. Some of them, in particular, offer ethereal visions, which ignite the imagination. This is the case with the Carezza lake, pearl of the Trentino Alto Adige, where the beauty of the place is the backdrop to a curious legend!
Lake Carezza and its spectacular rainbow
Lake Carezza is a small water basin, located in the high Val d'Ega at 1.534 m in the municipality of Nova Levante, in South Tyrol. It has a peculiar natural setting made of fir trees, and is located under the watchful eye of the Latemar massif. Thanks to his changing colors, Lake Carezza is also known by the name of Lec de Ergobando, arcoboàn (rainbow lake). The etymology of its name, Caress, it would derive instead from the word Caricaceae, name of the plants that populate this lake. The latter, fed by underground springs, has an extension and a depth that change according to the climatic season. Usually in spring, with the melting of the snow, the highest water level is reached.
In fact, in spring the lake reaches a length of 287 m and a width of 137 m, while the deepest point is located at about 17 m. On the other hand, the situation in the winter months is different, when the water level reaches a depth of only 6 m. Lake Carezza, therefore, undergoes various transformations throughout the year, but this does not scare the many tourists who go there. Despite the cold, several divers explore its polychrome waters, shooting video under the very thick layer of ice. The plays of color that are created are so suggestive that it is possible to get in touch with the magic of nature. Well, such a place could not attract upon itself legends of all sorts?
The enchantment of the lake: the troubled history of Ondina
The atmosphere and the mysterious aspect of Lake Carezza have fueled, over the centuries, various legends full of charm. The most famous is certainly that of the nymph Ondina. It is said that the beautiful fairy creature lived undisturbed in the crystal clear waters of the lake. With his sweet voice, Ondina it enchanted all who passed through the woods, so much so that one day it came as far as the sorcerer who lived on Mount Latemar. The magician fell madly in love with the nymph, and tried in every way to approach her. He even tried to kidnap her, but was unsuccessful. Taken by despair, he asked the witch who lived in nearby Mount Catinaccio for help. She told him to take the form of a seller of jewels and precious stones, and to create with these a rainbow that went from the Catinaccio to the Latemar.
This would have attracted towards the Ondina shore, which was usually very shy. The manifestation of the nymph would allow the magician to make her his. Unfortunately, however, the passion that blinded the sorcerer made him forget the most important point of the plan: the disguise. Ondina recognized him instantly, and ran away. At that moment the anger and pain were so burning that the magician threw the jewels into the lake and destroyed the beautiful rainbow. The colors of the precious stones and the rainbow became an integral part of the lake waters. This was then characterized by surprising shades: red, blue, green, and even gold! The curious story of this broken love still lives today: there is in fact a bronze statue in the lake, depicting the splendid Ondina. Once again nature and folklore know how to come together in a unique wedding, which makes Lake Carezza a must for beauty lovers!
