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In the province of Rieti, Lake of Salto (Lago del Salto) contributes in an original way to the variety of panoramas and geographical environments in which the Lazio region is rich.
Its territorial conformation is reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords, although it is located many parallels further south in Scandinavia and precisely in Alta Sabina. An easily accessible area, not far from Rome with convenient road connections.
The main road accesses are via the Strada statale 578 Salto Cicolana both from Rieti and from the A24 Rome-Teramo, ‘Valle del Salto’ exit. Other mountain road accesses are from Abruzzo (Tornimparte), Bassa Sabina (Lake Turano), and Carseolano (Pietrasecca).
At 535 metres above sea level, Lake of Salto is the largest artificial lake in Lazio. In fact, it is almost 10 kilometres long, an average of 1 kilometre wide, and has a perimeter of 57 kilometres with a truly spectacular variety of landscapes.
This crystal-clear body of water was created in 1940 with an imposing 90-metre-high dam in the valley where the Salto torrent used to run.
The lake is connected by a submerged canal to Lake Turano and both feed a hydroelectric power station downstream. Following the banks, continuous promontories open up, occupying what were once steep wooded crags, now invaded by water, forming nooks and crannies.
The ancient villages in the valley were obliterated to be rebuilt further upstream, often with the forms of rationalist architecture characteristic of the twenty-year fascist period.
In the historical memory of the elderly, who were dedicated to cultivating the land and raising livestock, the lake was a difficult enemy to accept.
Today, the situation is very different; it has favoured the development of a special natural environment, tourism and the practice of various sports.
The picturesque landscape of deep inlets, rocky promontories and peaks and hidden little beaches is populated by unspoilt nature. An oasis of biodiversity in whose waters numerous fish species can be found, especially trout, carp, eel, whitefish, chub, tench and bleak.
The banks provide an ideal habitat for an aquatic avifauna of herons, coots and other species. The flora, which is also rich and varied, includes chestnut, oak, beech and pine trees that are reflected suggestively in the clear waters of the lake.
The environment is a strong attraction for tourism, as are the villages overlooking the lake. Petrella Salto, with its medieval historic centre and characteristic Roman bridge, is among the most striking. But Pescorocchiano, Fiamignano and Varco Sabino are also worth a visit to admire the noble palaces, Romanesque churches and craft workshops.
The lake is very popular with water sports enthusiasts (wakeboarding, canoeing, kayaking…) and those who enjoy trekking and bathing. It seems almost obvious that these places represent not only a place of rustic gastronomy but also a natural set for film and TV, especially for commercials.
