Among the serene waters of Lake Nambino, there is a legend shrouded in mystery and magic, a story passed down through generations.
In ancient times, it is said that a mighty dragon lived in the depths of the lake, quiet and reserved. It spent long periods resting on the bottom, feeding on algae and fish, while occasionally emerging to bask in the warmth of the sun on the surrounding rocks.
…resting on the bottom, feeding on algae and fish
But one day, something unexpected happened. The dragon was seized by a fit of violence and devoured everything it encountered in its path: sheep, calves, and even a shepherd. News of its attack spread quickly, spreading fear among the inhabitants of Val Rendena. No one dared venture near the shores of the lake, until two brave hunters from Val di Sole, drawn by the promise of a reward, decided to arm themselves with rifles and set out to confront the beast.
Upon reaching the shores of the lake, they found the dragon asleep on a large rock. With courage and determination, they took aim and struck it, putting an end to its threat. However, before dragging it to the valley, one of the hunters noticed something extraordinary: a large white egg between the dragon’s claws. It turned out to be a dragon’s egg, or rather, a dragoness’s egg! It became clear to everyone that the dragon had attacked the shepherd and the animals only to protect its precious egg.
News of the dragon’s defeat spread quickly, and a grand celebration was held in Madonna di Campiglio in honor of the brave hunters, who collected the reward that had been promised. The dragon’s egg was hung, along with the now-dry hide of the winged beast, on the wall of the church… and thus, the legend of the dragon of Lake Nambino lived on in the tales of the local people.