Lake Misurina, a natural lake in Cadore, in the province of Belluno in Veneto. It is located in the extreme north of Italy, in the hamlet of Auronzo di Cadore at 1754 meters above sea level. Deep 5 meters, its climate makes it suitable for those suffering from respiratory difficulties and, in fact, welcomes the only center in Italy predisposed to treat children’s asthma.
It is an interesting lake to visit, whose view gives to the mountains and in particular to the famous Three Peaks of Lavaredo. Its waters have beautiful natural glows but also hide the story of a father’s great love for his daughter.
Lake Misurina: the magic mirror of the fairy
Misurina was the daughter of King Sorapiss, who ruled the lake. She had a lively temperament, perhaps due to the loss of her mother, and her father tried to ignore her.
It was for this reason that the king consented to accompany Misurina to Mount Cristallo, where the little girl – who was still 8 years old – had heard about a fairy and a magic mirror capable of reading the thoughtsnbsp;anyone who thought.
The Sorapiss King, then, accompanied her from the fairy of Monte Cristallo, the only one who could have given her the mirror. Even the fairy was reluctant to please the Princess, and tried for a long time to dissuade Princess Misurina from her intent, but seeing how distraught her father Sorapiss decided to please the girl, however, placing a very heavy condition. In fact, he hoped he could make her desist from her intent for the love of her father.
The fairy asked King Sorapiss in exchange for the Mirror of the Fairies, to be transformed into a mountain to save her beautiful flower garden on Mount Cristallo from the beating sun. The King for his daughter’s sake accepted the exchange.
He would have become a mountain provided his daughter Misurina had the mirror. The selfish princess even knowing of the pact between King Sorapiss and the Fairy, took happy his mirror and did not notice that his father was turning into a mountain, large and full of trees and crevasses, Mount Sorapiss.
Misurina suddenly realized that she was on top, on the mountain that had been her father and, looking down, was caught by a dizziness and rushed into the void.
The king Sorapiss, in his last moments of life, had to watch helplessly the tragic death of his daughter, so that from his eyes still open gushed so much to form two streams, which gathered in valle forming a huge lake, which took the name of Misurina.
The mirror, falling, crashed between the rocks and fragments were dragged downstream by the streams of tears of the king, where still today damn multicolored reflectionsnbsp;and that still make the Lake Misurina a unique place in the world.
When to visit Lake Misurina?
The best time to visit the lake is between spring and summer; of course these are also the months in which you can find more people. Â The color of Lake Sorapis during the summer and spring is an intense blue that makes all those who reach it dream. The beautiful thing that often the color changes depending on the climate and the sky goes from deep blue to light blue.
The most beautiful excursions to do at Lake Misurina
- Waterfalls of Fanes: La Waterfall of Fanes is over 90 meters high, is by far the highest of the Dolomites, it throws itself into the Rio Trevenanzes and to reach it there are strong;nbsp;well marked of different difficulties. Do not miss a visit to the city of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona : The Via Ferrata Ivano Dibona is a very long but is of medium difficulty and will lead you to the discovery of indelible evidence of the First World War. The starting point of this wonderful path is located in the parking lot of the lifts of Monte Cristallo which is located on the road that connects Cortina d’Ampezzo with Passo Tre Croci, the “walk” lasts more than six hours so we recommend to provide you with water, suitable food and equipment.
Of course, the most classic and also enjoyable thing is to bring a packed lunch, so nice sandwiches to be enjoyed by the lake. With a view like that of Misurina, I can not imagine a more suggestive lunch.
