In the centre of the crater of Rieti, crossed by the waters of the Velino river, the Riserva naturale dei laghi Lungo e Ripasottile (Nature Reserve of Lakes Lungo and Ripasottile) comprises two small lakes surrounded by bullrushes and forest.
The lakes are all that remain of a large, Roman basin of water fed by Mount Terminillo. The larger, lake Ripasottile, has a surface area of about 80 hectares and a maximum depth of 6m, while lake Lungo (also known as lake Cantalice) covers 60 hectares with a constriction dividing it into two – the smaller basin is called lake Fogliano.
The lacustrine nature of the reserve has created the habitat for a wide range of flora – rushes, water lilies, lotus, willow, black elder, poplars – and fauna with large gatherings of ducks and coots in the winter, plus the squacco and grey heron, and the occasional flamingo. The area also features ruins, a hydrogeological structure that keeps the lakes healthy and birdwatching blinds.
The reserve is surrounded by the area known as the “Valle Santa” (Sacred Valley) with the four Franciscan sanctuaries of Greccio, Santa Maria della Foresta, San Giacomo and Fonte Colombo.
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