Vico Lake
| Lake Vico | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Geographical location | Lazio | |
| Drain | Rio Vicano → Treja → Tiber | |
| Location close to the shore | Viterbo | |
| Data | ||
| Coordinates | 42 ° 19 ′ 0 " N , 12 ° 10 ′ 30" E | |
|
||
| Altitude above sea level | 510 m slm | |
| surface | 12.93 km² | |
| Maximum depth | 48.3 m | |
| Middle deep | 22.2 m | |
The Vicosee (Italian Lago di Vico also called Lago Cimino , in ancient times Lacus Ciminius ) is a volcanic lake in the central Italian region of Latium . It is located northwest of Rome and southeast of Viterbo , surrounded by the rocky range of hills of the Monti Cimini with Monte Fogliano (965 m) and Monte Venere (851 m) as their highest peaks.
Geography and history
According to an ancient legend, the lake was created when the mythological hero Heracles struck a hole in the ground with his club to prove his strength. A gigantic fountain of spring water had emerged and flooded the hole. In reality, Lake Vico - like Lake Bolsena , Lake Bracciano and the other lakes of the Campagna Romana - is of volcanic origin. After the last eruptions about 100,000 years ago, the craters gradually filled with both groundwater and rainwater.
Already in antiquity - presumably by the Etruscans , but perhaps not until the Romans - an underground channel was built to lower the water level by approx. 20 m. What is certain is that this tunnel was already there when the Via Cassia was built. Previously, according to calculations, the Lago di Vico had almost twice the area and the Monte Venere was probably an island in the lake. Only the drainage made it possible to use the fertile plain around the lake, which is in front of the mountain ranges, for agriculture and cattle breeding.
After the conquest of the Roman Empire by the Lombards of Lago di Vico territorial belonged since the 8th century to the Papal States . The ancient canal was restored under the papal rulers of the Farnese in the 16th century. Lago di Vico has been part of the Italian national state since 1870.
Today four municipal administrations share its banks or the surrounding mountains:
- Ronciglione in the south
- Caprarola in the east
- Viterbo in the north
- Vetralla to the west
Nature, landscape and wildlife
Lago di Vico is the center and eponymous attraction of the nature reserve Riserva Naturale del Lago di Vico , which covers an area of 3,200 hectares of the northern part of the lake, the marshland of its shore zone and the surrounding oak and beech forests on Monte Venere.
The lake has been rich in fish since ancient times. Pike reach a considerable size here; Also perch , whitefish and eels are common.
The otter , which was still seen occasionally in the mid-1960s, appears to have disappeared at the beginning of the 21st century.
The Lago di Vico serves as winter quarters for a rich bird life. Coot , great crested grebe , mallard , gadfly , heron and many others live especially in the protected reed areas of the north bank.
Economy and tourism
Hazelnut plantations dominate the agriculturally used areas, while chestnut crops and sheep pastures dominate the higher areas .
On the south bank of the lake, which is not under nature protection, a few bank cafes, holiday apartments that also attract German tourists, and a hotel geared to Roman wedding parties and larger family celebrations have established themselves.
An expansion of the infrastructure is not funded by the tourism authority, since nature and landscape protection are given priority and Lago di Vico is to be advertised as an oasis of calm and relaxation. A largely natural, undeveloped lake is an extraordinary attraction in Italy; in particular, these properties distinguish Lago di Vico from all other waters of the volcanic lake district north and south of Rome.
To ensure drinking water protection, water sports are prohibited on the lake.
literature
- Christoph Hennig: Central Italy. DuMont Reise-Verlag Cologne, 2nd edition 2003
Web links
- Riserva Naturale Lago di Vico (Italian, English)