Pragser Wildsee, Alpine lake in South Tyrol, Italy.
Pragser Wildsee sits at 1,494 meters (4,900 feet) elevation in South Tyrol, where emerald waters stretch across about 31 hectares against steep Dolomite peaks. The shoreline follows a natural oval shape, with dense forest on one side and rocky slopes rising sharply on the other.
During World War II, the area around the lake became a gathering point for concentration camp inmates shortly before their liberation in 1945. Memorial plaques along the shore now mark this chapter in the region's past.
The lake appears in legends about the ancient Fanes kingdom, where stories tell of Queen Dolasilla sailing across the water on autumn evenings. Local guides and innkeepers still share these tales with travelers who walk the surrounding trails.
During summer, vehicle access requires advance booking because the road gets restricted to manage the number of arrivals. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid crowds and makes finding parking easier.
When winter cold sets in, the surface freezes smooth enough to host curling matches, a tradition that began in 2012 when conditions allow proper ice thickness. The still water and steady mountain temperatures create an ideal natural rink that local clubs maintain for the season.
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