One of the benefits of being in Italy for several weeks is that we can take a break from the many household and garden maintenance chores and spend a day out at one of the beautiful nature reserves in the area. Not far from our Italian home is one of these protected areas with a lake basin surrounded by reed beds where many species of wildlife can be seen. Water flows into the lake from streams and rivers that have their source in the snow-capped mountains. There are also natural springs and the waters of the lake have a constant temperature throughout the year of 10 degrees C. The cold and well-oxygenated environment is ideal for fish species such as the trout and carp.
The River Fibreno joins our local River Liri in the Liri Valley
and from there it flows into Lake Posta Fibreno.
In the past our children and grandchildren have enjoyed going out on the lake when they've been with us on holiday so it was on my wish list to return there.
When we arrived at the lake we sat and had a drink in the garden of a restaurant overlooking the lake.
The town of Posta Fibreno could be seen through the forest high up on the hill above the lake. We could hear the bells ringing in the church tower and it was peaceful sitting there in the garden.
Suddenly a group of swimmers with their snorkels and wet suits walked down to the edge of the water to begin their swim across the lake. I just had time to take a photo of them before they disappeared across the water.
Apparently there's a submerged steel and platinum cross in the lake located near one of the little villages and on a day in August there's a festival when the swimmers dive down and bring it to the surface accompanied by other swimming groups, boats and canoes. There's a torchlight procession and a religious ceremony on the shore before the cross is returned to its original location in the deep waters of the lake.
To the right of this photo there's a floating island which developed many centuries ago called La Rota because of its round, wheel shape. It moves due to the fact that the current underneath the vegetation is strong as the water is deep where the lake bottom has formed into a cone-shaped pit. Mosses grow in the peaty mud.
a mosaic of coloured stones on one of the stone walls by the picnic area.
There are several examples of the typical boat used in the past. It's entirely made of wood, with a flat bottom and the shape is symmetrical with the bow and the stern raised in the same way. The origins of the boat date back to ancient times. The ones seen on the banks among the reeds were made using oak boards, nailed and glued together with a special mixture of moss and flour. A long oar was used to move the boat through the water. Another paddle-shaped tool was used to empty water that might get into the boat whilst fishing. Farmers as well as fishermen would use this means of transport to get through the water channels in the area. Aquatic herbs would be collected in this way as well as reeds. The reeds were gathered to make mats and containers whilst willow branches were also woven into useful items.
A wooden walkway has been created that winds through the reed beds allowing visitors to observe more closely the floating island, the wildlife and plants that make up the area around the lake. It was a thrill to see the blue flash of two kingfishers as they took refuge is one of the old, uninhabited houses. Herons nest in the reeds although I didn't spot any this time.
a fluffy young duckling
One of the wildlife observation hides
The water is crystal clear which makes it possible to see the different types of aquatic plants
growing there.
After a walk along the trail we decided to have lunch in the restaurant.
The outside tables were taken by other visitors as it's a popular spot for interest groups to meet up.
We had a leisurely lunch and then decided to return home
as the sky was beginning to darken.
We stopped by the mill to take photos before driving away from the lake.
The mill is currently used by the nature reserve staff and was built in 1810 near a waterfall. At the beginning of the 20th century hydroelectric turbines could produce enough energy necessary to create some street lighting in the locality
the mill pond
Along the road back to the town of Sora is the entrance to an old villa and estate. This rural area is being developed as a place where visitors can stay and experience the life on a large agricultural estate.
By the time we got back to town rain was threatening and there was a heavy downpour. We were glad to get back home before going out again to spend the evening with relatives. Thankfully the rain did not last for long.
