Dolomite crags tower above a medieval castle on an alpine lake, Castel Toblino on Lago di Toblino in Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. The castle, seen here on an early morning in September, from the lake’s northern shore, was founded in the 1100s and was once a desirable summer residence for the powerful prince-bishops of Trent.
Lago di Toblino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy: early sunlight on a tranquil September morning creates shimmering blue-green reflections, on the surface of one of northern Italy’s most beautiful lakes, of sheer Dolomite rock faces and rugged crags towering above medieval Castel Toblino, the former summer residence of the prince-bishops of Trent. In this view from the northern shore not long after dawn, the castle stands on a spur of rock that fell into the lake long ago from the near-vertical face of Monte Garzole or Piccolo Dain. The land was originally an island, but became a promontory as the level of Lake Toblino dropped. The castle was founded on the site of a 2,000-year-old cult temple. It dates from the 12th century and was once a formidable fortress, but owes its present configuration to Cardinal Bernardo Clesio or Cles (1485-1539), powerful Prince-Bishop of Trent or Trentino. He converted the stronghold into a desirable summer retreat for the prince-bishops, especially the four members of the noble Madruzzo family who followed him in the role. The Lago di Toblino lies about 15 km west of the regional capital, Trento, in the Sarca Valley, also known as the Valle dei Laghi (Valley of the Lakes). Its beauty is enhanced by its location amid the rugged Dolomite peaks, softer hills, dense forests, vineyards, fruit trees and cypresses.
Size: 2832px × 4256px
Location: Lago di Toblino, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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