Lago delle Tose

The water is very cold!

Lago delle Tose is a small body of water known since Roman times for the thermal characteristics and benefits of its waters. It is located in Lagole, an area of considerable archaeological and naturalistic interest near Lago di Centro Cadore. The water that flows between the rocks of the clearing forms streams and waterfalls that culminate in a natural pool. This entire area was part of a religious complex linked to the cult of mineral waters, already frequented in Roman times to perform the abduction of the body. In some places, in addition to the ferruginous color, it is also possible to smell the typical smell of sulfur. A little further south are the Lagole springs, small pools from which water with beneficial properties flows. In the Venetian dialect "tose" means "girls". But the legend from which this small and precious lake takes its name is anything but happy. It is said that a long time ago the girls of the place immersed themselves in its waters to preserve eternal youth. Their beauty aroused the envy of the Anguane, creatures similar to a nymph. One day the Anguane witches attacked the girls while their men were hunting. They beat them to death, including the beautiful Bianca, daughter of the village chief. When the men realized what had happened, they decided in desperation to carry the bodies to the mountain. The God of the lake, as a sign of compassion for the "tose", transformed every drop of blood that fell to the ground into small pink and fragrant flowers, then turned the men into stone so that no one could disturb Bianca's sleep. The Anguane took refuge in the caves but could not escape the vengeance of the God, who poisoned the water, killing them. The valley fell into an unreal silence and an instant later the water regained its beneficial powers.