Il red lake, as they called it until 1964. We are talking about the suggestive Lake Tovel, in Trentino Alto Adige. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Val di Non, in the province of Trento. And they called it the red lake because its waters turned red, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The cause of the redness, which for about fifty years has been only a memory, was due to the action of the lake flora mainly composed of the alga Tovellia sanguinea.
Today the lake, despite having lost this fascinating feature, looks like an oasis of magical tranquility in the heart of the Alps. Its fairytale aura is in any case linked to legends that surround its history. And despite having lost the name deriving from the color of its waters, Lake Tovel has bought another. It is in fact also defined bear lake because in that area of the valley there is a crowded settlement of brown bears. Charm, history and beauty are the characteristics of this natural oasis set like a precious stone in the The Dolomites of Brenta.
The valley around the lake
The lake covers an inlet with an area of 370 m² within the Val di Tovel. The entire valley is surrounded by the high peaks of Monte Peller, the Campa massif and the rocky promontory between the Grostè pass and the Gaiarda pass. The vegetation is flourishing and varied. The woods are dense and populated by an equally varied fauna. Walking along the mountain paths, in fact, it might be possible to spot chamois, marmots, hares, roe deer, foxes and grouse and black grouse.
And if you add a game of birdwatching, the visitor will not be disappointed! In the open skies of the valley it will in fact be possible to spot the ptarmigan, the francolin, the rock partridge and even the imperial crow. Although it is another native species, it will be difficult to meet the alpine brown bear. In fact, although one of the lake's names is due to this mountain dweller, the specimens are few and reluctant to be seen by man. This is therefore the landscape setting that encloses the picturesque Lago di Tovel. A place that thrives on magic in both summer and winter.
The battle on the shores of Lake Tovel
Each idyllic place carries with it a good dose of legend to charm and attract. The same is true for Lake Tovel, which turned red like blood. Legend has it that a young princess lived by the lake. Tresega was her name and she was the daughter of the last ruler of Ragoli. She was a very beautiful girl, yet she did not make up her mind to marry. Her suitors lined up, but she turned them down one after another. However, such denials did not always meet reasonable interlocutors! In fact, yet another refusal unleashed the wrath of the suitor Lavinto, king of Tuenno. He in no way wanted to accept the negative response to his stubborn court, so much so that he resubmitted the offer. But on a second refusal, feeling outraged and offended, he decided to invade Ragoli with his own army. The intent was twofold. On the one hand, Lavinto wanted to submit Tresenga to his will. On the other hand, he wanted to annex Ragoli to his own kingdom.
Neither the princess nor the inhabitants of Ragoli accepted the attack. The answer was prompt and the battle was bloody. Tresenga also took the field leading his people. Unfortunately for the princess, the battle was lethal. Tresenga died pierced by the cruel suitor's sword and her people also followed the same fate. When the battle was over, the lake turned red. It was the blood of the princess and her brave people. It is said that even today in the evening the princess weeps for her people right by the lake.
The red lake that no longer exists
The legend is suggestive and colors - it should be said - a more practical reality. As we have mentioned, the evening red that characterized the lake was due to the flowering of the seaweed Tovellia sanguinea. The redness usually occurred in the summer, when temperatures were higher. Probably the phenomenon has stopped occurring because the water has lost the nourishment necessary for the subsistence of that alga. But red or blue or green, Lake Tovel has not lost its luster. Not surprisingly, that crystal water has nothing to envy to the Caribbean paradises. Indeed, in this case there is the added value of the mountain air and the majestic Adamello Brenta Park that frames it.
(Photo sources: Francesca Arcuri's private archive)
