Description of the attraction
Lake Tovel is an alpine lake located in the commune of Tuenno in the province of Trento. It lies at an altitude of 1178 meters above sea level, surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of the Adamello Brenta National Park. Its surface area is 370 thousand square meters. In 1980, Lake Tovel was protected by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of particular importance.
This lake is often called Bear (Lago degli Orsi), because brown bears live in its vicinity, and Red (Lago Rosso) - until 1964, its waters were regularly colored red due to algal blooms. Scientists suggest that the flowering stopped due to a lack of organic matter, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus, the content of which fell after changing the way cattle graze in the vicinity of the reservoir. In the historical documents of the early 19th century, which mention Lake Tovel, not a word is said about this phenomenon of flowering, but much is said about the exceptional taste of the fish living in it.
Local residents have their own beautiful and sad legend associated with Lake Tovel. They say that in ancient times, Princess Tresenga, the daughter of the last king of Ragoli, lived in these places. Many rich suitors wanted to marry her, but the obstinate refused everyone. However, one of them, Lavinto, King Tuenno, did not put up with the refusal and sent a whole army against Ragoli, hoping to persuade Tresengu. But neither the girl nor her people wanted to obey the arrogant Lavinto and decided to repel the attack, despite the fact that they were inferior in numbers and weapons. Trezenga herself led her army. The battle took place on the shores of Lake Tovel, where the peasants of Ragoli fell to the blows of Tuenno's soldiers. Tresenga herself was killed by King Lavinto, who struck her down with a blow of his sword. By the end of the day, the waters of the lake turned red - so great was the number of those killed. Since then, right up to the present day, the lake has regularly reminded of the bravery of the inhabitants of Ragoli and of the princess, whose spirit, allegedly, could be seen crying on the shore at night.
