When they say "lakes in Italy", they primarily mean Garda, Lago Maggiore and Como. Experienced travelers and geography experts will also name Varese, Lugano, Iseo, Trasimeno, Omodeo. But in Italy, there are over one and a half thousand fresh water bodies. Of these, the lion's share are small mountain lakes. They were formed as a result of damming the riverbed with an ancient glacier. But there are lakes of other origin in Italy. For example, lagoons. They were formed by cutting off braids from the marine area of a certain area. An example of a lagoon lake in Italy is the beautiful Lezina. Water bodies also form in the calderas of extinct volcanoes. The most famous lake of this origin is Albano. It is located twenty kilometers from Rome, at the foot of Mount Monte Cavo.
In this article we will talk about the main lakes of Italy. These fresh water reservoirs are an alternative to sea resorts and are well suited to those people who can not stand the heat.
Great Lakes of Italy
Photos of these sparkling blue ponds adorn all country guides. Like a necklace of precious sapphires, they are spread on the southern slopes of the Alps. The massive mountain system reliably closes the Garda, Como and Lago Maggiore from the north winds, forming a unique Mediterranean climate. Here lemons and oranges ripen, the region is famous for winemaking and olive oil. In addition to this, travelers are waiting for medieval castles and palaces of the Baroque era, Romanesque churches and incomparable Italian flavor. The Great Lakes include the largest in the country, Garda, Como, Maggiore, Lugano and Iseo. But there are smaller reservoirs, no less picturesque.
Garda
The largest lake in Italy is located near Verona. Crystal clear water, insanely beautiful landscapes, a unique climate attract many travelers from all over the world. Holidays on Lake Garda (Italy) is considered even more prestigious than in sea resorts. The shores of this reservoir are covered with ancient towns. The most famous of them is Sirmione. He was famous even in ancient times due to thermal springs. The town is located on a peninsula that extends far into the water.
Sirmione's tourist attractions include the ancient Villa Grotto of Catulla, the medieval Scaliger castle, the churches of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Pietro in Mavino. On the north shore of the lake is Riva del Garda with excellent beaches. It is worth making a short trip on a tourist boat with a call to various resorts - Limone, Torbole, Bardolino, Desenzano, Malcesine and others. And Castelnuovo del Garda needs to be dedicated all day. After all, here is the amusement park "Gardaland" with an aquarium.
Como
"The standard of prestigious relaxation" - such is the glory of this lake in Italy. In the era of the Roman Empire, Pliny the Younger and the poet Virgil had their villas here, and today George Clooney and other celebrities. The third largest Italian lake, Como, is easier to get from Milan - only forty kilometers directly to the north. He got his name from the town. But in addition to the village of Como, the shores of the lake are dotted with other resorts: Lecco, Varenna, Cernobbio, Menaggio, Laglio and others. The climate here is flat and mild. The air temperature in the tourist season (May-October) is from +22 to +28 degrees. Como is considered the deepest lake not only in Italy, but also throughout Western Europe (up to 410 meters).
But this is not what attracts tourists, but luxurious villas that make up a single whole with a no less wondrous landscape. Como has repeatedly become the backdrop for films. But the rest here is for hedonists and lovers of a relaxing pastime, unlike the Garda, which "specializes" in windsurfing. The following interesting places can be distinguished from the Mast Sea Como: the villas Melzi and Serbelloni in Bellagio, the Basilica of Saint Eufemia and the fort on the island of Comacino, the castle of Castello di Vecio in Varenna, the 7th century Peony Abbey.
Lago Maggiore
The name of the second largest reservoir is simply translated as "Big Lake". It is divided between Italy and Switzerland. The border between the regions of Piedmont and Lombardy also runs along Maggiore. There are many resorts on the shores of the lake. In Switzerland it is Locarno and Ascona. The best views open from the western (Piedmontese) shore of the lake in Italy. There are resorts Verbania, Cannobio, Intra, Stresa. In Lombardy, the famous places of Sesto Calende, Bezozzo, Angera are famous. The most popular tourist attraction is the Borromeo archipelago, especially the island of Isola Bella. Almost all of its territory is occupied by the magnificent palace of the Cardinal, now a museum. In the tourist season, boats from Intra, Pallanza, Laveno and Stresa leave for the archipelago. But there are other islands on Lago Maggiore: the rocky Castelli di Cannero and Izulin with a great beach. The Holy Trinity Mountain, towering above Giffa, is on the UNESCO List because of the baroque chapel located here.
Lago Albano
The size of this lake in Italy is small: three and a half kilometers by two. The palace of the Pope of Castel Gandolfo makes the famous reservoir. Lacus Albanus enjoyed fame in ancient times. In 395 BC, the Romans broke a tunnel to regulate the water level in the lake. And in the fifteenth century, he was glorified in his "Commentaries" by Pope Pius II.
Lake Albano is of volcanic origin. It is located in two calderas. The easiest way to get from Rome. It is only twenty-five kilometers from the capital of Italy . Lovers of mountain biking like to relax on Lago Albano, because it has very beautiful beaches. Castel Gandolfo's ancient canal hosts kayaking and team rowing competitions.
Lake Braies (Italy)
This pond is considered the pearl of the Alto Adige region. This alpine lake lies at an altitude of almost one and a half thousand meters above sea level. On all sides, the rocky cliffs of the Dolomites surround the expanse of water. The lake was formed as a result of landslide damming. This natural attraction rests at the foot of Mount Croda del Becco. The lake attracts tourists with its turquoise smooth surface and incomparable alpine nature. Despite the elevated location, in the summer you can swim in it. The lake is surrounded by a hiking trail, there is a pier and tourist boats ply. To get to Braies, a lake in Italy, reviews are recommended from Bolzano, which is located in the province of South Tyrol. A hundred kilometers are separated from this city by a pond.