Saga and legends

Mountain lakes, dark forests and one or the other mythical creature… It is truly a wondrous world that opens itself up in front of the visitors that come to South Tyrol, the land of myths and legends.
”A long, long time ago…” Every valley knows them, every village has some of them: its very own legends and mythical traditions. For centuries – with the first ones dating back to the 17th century – unexplainable events and fantastic stories about mythical creatures like dwarfs, fairies or elves have been passed on from generation to generation; incredible stories which not only make children’s eyes sparkling with joy.
Most of the written narrations date back to the 19th century and are also known across the country’s borders. Probably the most famous one and one that most definitely every guest that comes to South Tyrol will get to listen to is the myth of King Laurin. A story in which the Turkish king of dwarfs falls in love with the beautiful king’s daughter called Similde. He kidnaps her but in the end is being defeated by the knight Dietrich von Bern and his followers who have come to free Similde. This is one of many fascinating narrations which you can read about during your Italian vacation in South Tyrol.