Saint Romedio and the bear

The places of spirits: San Romedio Sanctuary in Val di Non. San Romedio Sanctuary is in Trentino, plunged in the wild nature of Val di Non, inhabited by roes and roe deers. Saint Romedius (in Italian, San Romedio; 4th century) was a son of the Tyrolese count of Thaur (in the Inn Valley near Innsbruck). Though the son of a nobleman, as a young man he withdrew to a rock cave in order to meditate. After the death of his parents, he gave away all of his possessions and established himself in the Val di Non (German Nonstal) in Trentino. Romedius is often depicted alongside or astride a bear. According to his hagiography he wanted to visit the friend of his youth, St. Vigilius, Bishop of Trento, (who died in 405), but his horse was torn to pieces by a wild bear. Romedius, however, had the bear bridled by his disciple David (Davide). The bear became docile and carried Romedius on its back to Trento. The tamed bear is a motif also of Saint Corbinian, bishop of Freising.