Spring in The Comelico Valley

Rinaldo’s Legend

In the years of the barbarian invasions a tribe of savages invaded Comelico. In vain they opposed that destructive horde, despite the value of their leader Rinaldo. Taken prisoner, he was forced to dig a deep pit near the Piave in Santo Stefano; he was thrown into it, mocked and vilified in anticipation of the supreme judgment to be made the following day at dawn, the barbarians too intent being that day at the looting of the village. Rinaldo, strong and generous (for these his talents he had the esteem of his and those who had come to Comelico with a spirit of adventure or mission), inside the deep pit, with the spirit prepared at the last hour, he thought of that good a man who arrived in Comelic some time ago, proclaimed himself a missionary of Christ. The episodes of the Bible that he recounted, in particular the prophets and martyrs who, among many corruptions and in spite of atrocious sufferings, were able to remain pure and fearful of the golden God, had remained deeply impressed on him. Therefore, finding himself in a pit, he remembered Daniel, thrown in that of the lions by the king Darius, who badly suffered so much spiritual power in a Jew. He addressed his outburst to God: “Let me get out of here and I promise you, like Daniel, the dedication of my people in Your spirit”. A voice deep inside replied: “follow the light of the sun, but never be weak in heart”. Suddenly the storm clouds thickened and dumped a huge amount of water over the entire valley. Towards dawn the Piave was in full and the water overflowed into the pit. On a trunk stuck inside Rinaldo he came out, he barely gained the coast to the north and in a tabià he found refuge Keep reading.

San Pietro di Cadore
Danta di Cadore
Santo Stefano di Cadore
Comelico Superiore
San Nicolo' di Comelico