In the Western Dolomites there is
a small mountain Carezza Rainbow Lake is a mountain lake may be a dime a dozen,
but how many can boast brilliant waters whose colors are the result of a
lovesick sorcerer and drowned rainbows? According to the local folklore, the
myriad colors of this lake are the result of a lovelorn wizard's blunder. Their
fractured magnificence continues to radiate through its crystalline waters to
this day, and account for Carezza’s other name: Lec de ergobando, or “Rainbow
Lake.”
According to the ethnicities of
the Ladin people in Italy’s South Tyrol region, once upon a time there was a
mermaid living in the lake. who often sat and sang on the shores of the lake.
She was however very shy, and whenever anyone approached, she would instantly
vanish into the water. Once wizard Masaré was in love with. The striking water
nymph called the pristine waters of Lake Carezza, at the foot of the Dolomites,
home. In order to seduce her, the witch Lanwerda advised him to dress up as
jewel merchant and throw a rainbow from Mt Catinaccio to Mt Latemar. Therefore,
braiding her hair on its shores, the sorcerer Masaré was overwhelmed by the
sound of the nymph as she softly sang to herself. Hence, head over heels in
love, he hunts for the support of a witch to make the nymph his own.
An elaborate plan involving a
disguise as a jewelry salesman, and casting a rainbow across the lake ensued. Unfortunately
for the sorcerer, he forgot to wear his jewelry salesman outfit and was uncovered
by the nymph even as she wondered at his creation. Thus, evading his trap, she
hasn’t been seen since. Fully distraught at his own foolishness, Masaré smashed
the rainbow into a million pieces, which fell into the lake’s waters below. So
the beautiful mermaid detected him and forever disappeared in Lake Carezza. Since
then the Ladin name for the lake has been “Lec de Ergobardo” (the Rainbow
Lake).
Lake Carezza is mainly fed by
subterraneous springs from the Latemar Group and his water level is continually
changing. In spring lake gets the highest level and lowest level in October. In
summer lake is fed by snow melt. In winter, however, the “Fairytale Dolomite Lake”
is frozen and covered by snow, which is very impressing. This lake is amazing
and whenever you plan to go Italy then must see it in person!
