Landrino was a valiant warrior prince who having committed himself to the Ghibelline cause was faithful to the emperor and opposed the papacy. One day whilst crossing a thick wood he came upon a beautiful maiden who – frightened by his sudden appearance – hid in a cave. Landrino chased after her and recognised her: she was Ildegarda, the daughter of his rival the Guelph king of which he was secretly in love. After a few moments of hesitation, the two youths kissed.

The couple started to see each other, keeping it a secret from each of their families. But one day Illdegarda’s father promised her hand in marriage to a nobleman who was his friend. Just before the wedding, Landrino kidnapped his beauty and took her to his castle. But the girl’s father and her fiancé laid siege to the castle and Landrino died overpowered by the number of opponents. Illdegarda watched the scene powerlessly. Then overcome with pain she also died. On their death beds the rival families were reconciled.

In Landris, the Belluno town which has taken the name of the love stricken prince, there is still a fountain of peace which shows the coat of arms of the two houses together above two lion mouths. A short way away on the top of a hill, separated from the wood by a green glade Landrino’s castle stands. It is a gothic style building in stone with swallow-tail crenellations surrounded by larches and birches.

But all the places which tell of the love between the two youths are in Landris. For example it is said that once there was an inscription at the entrance to the wood: “You have now reached the castle of Landrino who here died a valiant death – the faithful Ildegarda spread the hero’s tomb with tears and flowers and shortly after she died”.

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