The Eivane of Lech dei Giai: The Secret Song of the Agordine Dolomites

Hidden within the wild and majestic folds of the Agordine Dolomites, where the forests grow denser and the rocky peaks brush the sky, lies a small body of water shrouded in mystery: the Lech dei Giai, the Lake of the Black Grouse (or Capercaillie). It is no ordinary lake; its calm and deep waters, which reflect the surrounding spires like a liquid emerald, are believed to be the dwelling place of legendary creatures, as fascinating as they are elusive: the Eivane (also known as Aivane, Vivane, or Anguane in other Alpine valleys).

Who are the Eivane?

Imagine female figures of an ethereal and wild beauty, spirits of the water and the woods inextricably linked to this remote place. Legends depict them with very long flowing hair, sometimes the color of algae, other times shining like threads of gold or silver in the moonlight. Their eyes are said to have the depth of the lake itself, capable of enchanting and scrutinizing the soul of anyone who dares to approach too closely.

They are not simply gentle nymphs; the Eivane embody the primordial force of the Alpine nature. They can be benevolent and protective towards those who respect their environment, but also capricious, touchy, and even fearsome with those who disturb the tranquility of the lake or disrespect the mountain. Some older tales whisper that, hidden beneath the long, flowing robes woven with threads of mist and dew, they conceal goat's or duck's feet, a sign of their wild nature, halfway between human and animal, between grace and feral instinct.

The Lech dei Giai: Their Enchanted Realm

The lake is not only their home but the center of their power. It is here, especially in the magical hours of dawn, dusk, or on full moon nights, that the Eivane manifest themselves. It is said that solitary travelers or hunters who have ventured too close to the lake have heard their melancholic and bewitching songs, melodies that intertwine with the rustling of the wind through the trees and the soft murmur of the waters. A song so pure and poignant that it makes one forget the way back, a call that can lead to wonder or perdition.

The very name of the lake, "dei Giai," might not be accidental. Perhaps their songs imitate the particular call of the black grouse that inhabits these forests, or perhaps these birds are considered sacred or protected by the Eivane themselves, messengers of their hidden world.

It is narrated that on the shores of Lech dei Giai, the Eivane love to gather to wash their immaculate white garments, then lay them out to dry on the surrounding meadows, which at dawn gleam with an almost unnatural dew. Other tales see them as skilled weavers, intent on creating precious fabrics with threads of moonlight or weaving the destiny of the men who inhabit the valleys below.

Encounters and Warnings

The legend is imbued with respect and fear. Disturbing the Eivane while they sing or wash their clothes is considered a sacrilegious act that can unleash their wrath. Those who spy on them disrespectfully could be dragged into the icy depths of the lake, lose their memory, or be struck by misfortune. It is said that once a young shepherd, intrigued by the nocturnal songs, approached too closely and saw the creatures dancing on the water. Fascinated by their otherworldly beauty, he remained motionless until dawn, but when the first rays of the sun touched the Eivane, they vanished like mist, leaving the young man dazed and unable to find his way back for days.

Conversely, those who approach the lake with a pure heart and respect for nature might, in rare cases, receive a fleeting benevolent glance from them, a harbinger of good fortune or, according to some versions, feel pervaded by an unusual peace and inspiration.

An Echo in the Present

Even today, walking near the Lech dei Giai, especially when the fog rises from the valley or the silence is broken only by the sounds of nature, it is not difficult to imagine the elusive presence of the Eivane. The legend lives in the very air of the place, in the murmur of the water, in the play of light and shadow among the trees.

Perhaps the Eivane are nothing more than the personification of the wild and untamed beauty of the Dolomites, a warning to respect the sacredness of unspoiled places. Or perhaps, for those who truly know how to listen, their song still resonates, a whisper carried by the wind that descends from the peaks, an invitation to rediscover the hidden magic in the heart of the Agordine mountains.

Visiting the Lech dei Giai is not just a hike, but an immersion into a world where legend touches reality, leaving in the heart an echo of mystery and wonder. And who knows... perhaps, stopping in silence on the shore, one might still perceive an ancient energy, the enchanting presence of the Eivane, eternal guardians of their secret lake.

Under development by Giorgio (GiDiO) Di Egidio This is the very first prototype of the Eivane, or Undines.