Lech Sant
| Lake Santo Lech Sant | |
|---|---|
The Lech Sant with the Stevia and Odle | |
Lake Santo Lech Sant | |
| Location | Santa Cristina Gherdëina, South Tyrol, Italy |
| Coordinates | 46°35′12″N 11°43′46″E / 46.5866°N 11.7294°E |
| Basin countries | Italy |
The Lech Sant (Lech Sant in Ladin, Lago Santo in Italian) is a lake, protected natural monument[1] in South Tyrol, located in the municipality of Santa Cristina Gherdëina.[2]
Name origin
Lech Sant translated into English becomes Holy Lake and the origin of this name is linked to a popular legend.[3]
History
Geological and archaeological research conducted in 1984 uncovered two distinct prehistoric stratifications on the site, dating respectively to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. It seems plausible to assume that the site was used during these periods by the earliest populations of the area as an ancient place of worship.[3]
Description
The small mountain lake is located on the Alpe di Mastlè, above the settlement of Santa Cristina.[3]
Biotope
The biotope is notable for its location and biodiversity. Its origins date back to after the Würm glaciation and its waters are home to the minnow, a small freshwater fish adapted to cold, oxygenated waters.[4]
Legend
According to popular tradition, long ago where the lake now stands, there was a small church. Some local shepherds are said to have desecrated the sacred site with their nocturnal festivities and, as punishment, were made to sink along with the entire church, giving rise to the depression that later became the lake.[3][5]
See also
Notes
- ^ "Provincia Autonoma Bolzano" [Autonomous Province of Bolzano] (in Italian). Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ Touring Club Italiano (2005). "18: Alta val Gardena". Trentino Alto Adige (in Italian). Milan: Touring Editore. ISBN 978-88-365-4802-6.
- ^ a b c d "Lech Sant". dolomiten.net (in Italian). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ Moroder, Edgar (1988). Calendar de Gherdëina 1988 [Calendary 1988] (in Ladin). Ortisei: Union di Ladins d'Urtisei. pp. 15–27. OCLC 48996921.
- ^ "L'origine del Lech Sant" [The Origin of Lake Santo]. vivosuedtirol.com (in Italian). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
Bibliography
- Touring Club Italiano (2005). Trentino Alto Adige (in Italian). Milan: Touring Editore. ISBN 978-88-365-4802-6.
- Moroder, Edgar (1988). Calendar de Gherdëina 1988 [Calendar 1988] (in Ladin). Ortisei: Union di Ladins d'Urtisei. OCLC 48996921.
External links
- "Lech Sant". dolomiten.net (in Italian). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- "Tour alla volta del Lech Sant" [Tour to Lake Santo]. valgardena.it (in Italian). Retrieved 13 August 2020.