Why is Lake Scanno such a popular destination for tourists?
Certainly its curious heart shape is the main reason, but what is most intriguing are the legends and history behind it.
So take a moment just for yourself and discover, word for word, the famous heart-shaped lake...
Happy reading!
How did Lake Scanno come into being?
It is said that the lake came into being as a result of a spell that served to end a bloody battle.
But in reality none of this is true, unfortunately....
Lake Scanno was born because of a violent landslide caused by Mount Genzana that blocked the flow of the Tasso River.
The consequences were that the river inevitably flooded the valley, forming the lake we all know today.
The period is still uncertain, but it is estimated that the event even happened at the time of the last ice age.
I mean, just a few years ago ...
The characteristics of Lake Scanno
Lake Scanno is located, among the Marsicani Mountains, at 922 meters above sea level.
It is about 1,500 meters long and 800 meters wide, with a maximum depth of 32 meters.
In addition, another very fascinating feature of this lake is that, during the coldest periods, it freezes completely.
But what makes it even more intriguing is the fact that this does not happen every winter, however, those few times it manages to offer a breathtaking view that is more unique than rare!
So the question you should ask yourself is:
"Shall I be the / proximǝ to have the good fortune to admire it?"
Between curiosities and legends
I have already mentioned the legend about the lake's origins, but as curious as it is, it deserves to be better told:
The story features Roman warriors on one side and King Battifolo on the other.
The story goes that when the king was about to be defeated, he invoked the magician Bailard for help, who with a spell caused the enemy fields to flood, thus ending the battle.
Another legend, however, tells how a certain Pietro Baialardo, enamored of the fairy Angiolina, ordered her abduction.
But she was against this sentiment so, to escape from the kidnappers, she made a lake appear out of nowhere that swallowed them in no time.
There are also more recent rumors about Lake Scanno, and this time it is not wizards or fairies who are the protagonists, but rather, UFO sightings and strange phenomena on the lake bed.
Yes, you got it right!
A very common anomaly is that concerning divers' compasses, which, once underwater, are completely unable to mark north.
In addition, there is an unidentified object buried in the seabed that is most likely the cause of the compass malfunctions.
Maybe not, but who can ever know?
What to do at Lake Scanno
You really are spoiled for choice, the attractions are many, and the place is quiet, so it is perfect for either a day of extreme fun or one of complete relaxation.
There is an equipped beach on site where you can enjoy the view of the lake.
In case you will be in the company of children, don't worry, there are play areas where they can spend time with their peers.
In addition, there is the possibility of renting pedal boats, rowboats, canoes, bicycles and rickshaws to explore the place.
As for sports, there are several mountain bike trails near the lake, and if that is not enough you can also practice sup.
But this is not the end of the story.
If you are a fishing lover I have great news for you!
The lake is full of fish, there are so many species such as: trout, catfish, perch, whitefish and pike...
But beware, you will only be able to fish with the right documentation, so I strongly advise you to inquire about it.
What you can visit at Lake Scanno
If you want to immerse yourself even more in Scannese culture, you should definitely visit the Church of Our Lady of the Lake.
It is a pretty little church located a few meters away on the shore of the lake.
But what makes it so special is not its appearance seen from the outside, but rather, its interior.
In fact, one of its most fascinating features concerns the location of its altar, which is located right on a natural rock wall where several tributes are also placed by locals.
Another must-do experience is to walk the Heart Trail.
You know all those pictures where you can see the heart shape of the lake perfectly?
Well, to reach that exact spot and enjoy the magical view, one must first complete this path.
Reaching it is very easy; it is just a short walk from a small souvenir stand located near the lake.
Starting the walk you will immediately find yourself immersed in nature and after 30 / 40 minutes you can already admire the small Hermitage of St. Egidio.
When you reach that point you will be within sight of your destination.
From there on, it will take you just 5 / 10 minutes of walking before you can finally admire our beloved viewpoint.
So what are you waiting for?
Equip yourself with overalls, comfortable shoes, and get ready to experience unique thrills!
How to get to Lake Scanno
Despite the "remote" location of the lake, one would think that reaching it would be at the very least difficult, but instead it is easier than one would think.
There are many ways to get there, and you can approach the journey by any means, but I won't go into much detail about that now because we already explain on our website, in great detail, how to get there.
Click here to find out.
Conclusion
As you can see, this can indeed prove to be the perfect destination to be able to spend a small vacation with friends or even solo, why not?
So if what you want is to experience moments of pure relaxation and fun contact us here:
Scanno is waiting for you!
