The Rieti territory, particularly the Rieti plain, was anciently covered by the waters of Lacus Velinus, which was reclaimed in Roman times, leaving a very fertile area, with mirrors and minor waterways: such as the Lungo and Ripasottile lakes or the Ventina lake. Other lakes in the area were created by the construction of dams and now offer splendid views, such as Lake Turano and Lake Salto. The landscape has also been shaped by the course of centuries-old rivers such as the Farfa; there are numerous waterfalls within walking distance where you can cool off on a summer’s day and wonderful springs. These are some of the places that the Acqua experience wants to suggest to the visitor.
Amatrice
Scandarello Lake is located in the municipality of Amatrice. Of artificial origin, the lake with a perimeter of about 11 km, was formed in 1924 following the construction of the dam on the Scandarello torrent, which was a tributary of the Tronto river. The lake is very deep, around 40 meters. Surrounded by the western peaks of the Monti della Laga, it offers a pleasant walk along its perimeter, it is also a destination for fishermen.
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Castel di Tora
Near Castel di Tora, above the Turano lake, is the Vallocchie waterfall, whose waters flow into the underlying lake. Located in an oasis of greenery, the waterfall can be reached via a path.
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Colli sul Velino
Lake Ventina is located in the municipality of Colli sul Velino. It was part of that system of lakes, including Lake Ripasottile, Lake Lungo and Lake Piediluco, which formed the ancient Lacus Velinus, which occupied a large part of the Rieti plain and which was reclaimed in Roman times. In the winter months, Lake Ventina is a resting place for migratory birds, such as the pendulum which builds its nest among the reeds, but also for various more stable birds such as the gray heron. Sport fishing is also practiced on the lake.
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Fiamignano
Rascino and Cornino lakes are located close to each other but at different altitudes, both in the territory of Fiamignano. Rascino Lake is a small lake located in the plateau of the same name, where fishing, especially pike, can be practiced; in the summertime, however, it serves as a natural water reservoir for livestock grazing on the plateau. A little higher up on the Cornino plateau is Cornino Lake, surrounded by a reforested pine forest. The landscape is pristine and picturesque.
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Greccio
On the highest point of Greccio is the Fonte del lupetto or Fonte Lupetta, in a wonderful wood. The characteristic name of the source derives from a story that is handed down according to which the owner of the place where the source originates, by drinking its water, had the appetite of a wolf! Abandoned for years, the source is being fully recovered to allow drinking water to be used.
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Mompeo
The Farfa River has built with its flow over the centuries a unique landscape. In 2007 it was decided to establish the Gole del Farfa Natural Monument, now protected by the Lazio Region, to preserve the stretch of the valley comprised in the municipalities of Mompeo and Castelnuovo di Farfa in Sabina. The site offers a network of archaeological-naturalistic routes that invite visitors to discover this extraordinary heritage.
Rivodutri
Within the territory of Rivodutri, in the Piedicolle hamlet, there is the Santa Susanna spring, one of the largest in Europe, with a flow rate of 5,000 liters per second. Near the source there is a botanical garden with benches and a playground for the little ones. From the source originate the Santa Susanna river which flows into the Ripasottile lake, and the Santa Susanna canal which flows into the Velino river. The waters of these rivers are rich in freshwater fish such as trout, a local gastronomic speciality.
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Antrodoco, Micigliano e Posta
The Velino gorges are located within the territories of the municipalities of Antrodoco, Micigliano and Posta. They are very deep pits created by the flow of the Velino river, between Mount Terminillo to the west and the Abruzzo Apennines to the east. For a length of about 14 km, the gorges present karst phenomena and several caves. The Velino gorges have always been a strategic crossing point: they are in fact the only way to get around the Terminillo and reach the upper Velino valley.
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Ascrea, Castel di Tora, Paganico Sabino e Colle di Tora
The Turano lake, or Posticciola lake, was born from the damming of the Turano river, a tributary of the Velino. The dam was designed in 1916 and completed in 1938. The lake was artificially built both to regulate the river’s outflow and to produce electricity. Part of its waters flow into Lago del Salto, built later with the same function, through a tunnel about 9 km long. Today, Lake Turano is a destination that offers very suggestive glimpses and panoramas, perfect for trekking, horse riding, fishing, paragliding, cycling, canoeing, swimming, water skiing and much more. The Turano dam forms a single hydroelectric system with the Salto dam.
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Pescorocchiano, Fiamignano e Marcetelli, Varco Sabino
Salto Lake. Lake Salto is the largest artificial lake in Lazio. It was born from the damming of the Salto river. It has an elongated shape and very jagged ribs. The purpose of its construction was both to regulate the flow of the river’s waters and to produce electricity, as did Lake Turano, into which part of its waters flow.
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Colli sul Velino, Contigliano, Rivodutri
The partial natural reserve of the Lungo and Ripasottile lakes is a protected natural area that includes two residual water mirrors of the large lake that once covered a large part of the Reatina plain: the Lacus Velinus, reclaimed by the ancient Romans with the creation of a passage in the mountains that surround the plain and the outflow of lake waters with the creation of the Marmore waterfall. The reserve was officially established in 1985. Within the protected area there is also the Velino River with its tributaries.
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Registered office: Via Manzoni 10, 02100 Rieti
c.o. V^comunità montana
Tax code: 01235650577
