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Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Lake of Fiastra and its gorge

The Lake Fiastra is an artificial lake which was built in 1955 to provide electricity in the Valley of the Fiastrone and is located in the Province of Macerata in the Marche. The Lake Fiastra is the largest lake by volume of the Marche with a cubic volume 0.204 km and a maximum depth of 87 m at the dam. Its surface area is 2 square km. The lake is fed by the waters of the river and small Fiastrone smaller tributaries that create corners. The lake is very popular for events such as the "Triathlon of the Sibillini Mountains" or numerous sport fishing competitions. One of the most fascinating things about the lake is the intense blue of its waters particularly clear and unpolluted. The banks on the left side of the dam are very steep, while the right side is bordered by a bicycle path from which you can easily access the lake.

You can also rent canoes or paddle boats in resorts, it is also possible to swim in safety thanks to the rescue service in the area closest to the town. this showes the friendliness of the town of who organized rest areas and parking areas all around the bathing area.
I recommend you take a tour around the whole lake, to seek the cave of the friars (La Grotta dei Frati) and if you still have time to go find the "Lame Rosse" : just follow the indication on the map and when you arrive in the place, just follow signs along the path.

This place is easy to arrive at and if you have GPS, just type in San Lorenzo al Lago.
Location in Italy:


Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

My suggestion, follow this indication to find the path that leads you to the Cave of Friests!
it is a fantastic place, where the fairies play in peace.  

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa
Enjoy this place.  I advise you to arrive early in the morning because you need all the day to explore the area.
camping facilities are also available.

Some of my photos taken August 2013:











Monday, August 5, 2013

FURLO: State Natural Reserve in Marche, Italy



The Furlo is an extraordinary setting for walking in all the paths that surround it. During this nature trail, you can admire the imposing cliffs, the Roman tunnel (where it passed the ancient Via Flaminia, an old roman road), explore the "Cave of the grain," find the rare species of protected flowers,  and enjoy the emerald waters of the Candigliano river.
You can also make quiet animal observations.

The river divides into two. What was once a single complex of mountains for millions of years, is eroded by the water of the river that has left a deep rift in its path. It is also for this reason that the mountains contain a surprising variety of interesting elements. The gorge was formed by a huge wall of limestone split in two, for erosion by water, between Mount Paganuccio (977 m) and Mount Pietralatra (888 m).

Since 2001 the Furlo's gorge has become State Natural Reserve. It covers 3,600 hectares of forest (90% public lands), pastures and pristine peaks. It is a true paradise.

Imagine an envirament where eagles, the peregrine falcon, the eagle owl, the woodpecker, the crag, the Alpine Swift and the Chough rule the skies. And where the Furlo wolves, deer, wild boar roem free. The vegetation that covers the tops of the massif or montain range consists mainly of oak, hornbeam, ash, maple.

This place is famous for the rich harvest and high quality of truffles that is one of the speciality of the Marche region.  If you have a chance i reccommend you try one of the many pasta dishes made with truffle that you will find in any of the lot of restaurants.

The Furlo includes a 38.3 m long tunnel which the ancients called "petra pertusa" or "forulus" hence the name of Furlo tunnel. This was hewn in its narrowest point by Vespasian in 77 d.c to allow the crossing of the Apennines from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic area. Next to this, another only 8 meters long, maybe excavated by the Etruscans and Umbrians.

HOW TO ARRIVE HERE:
This place is very easy to access, both by car and bus you can arrive here from the Adriatic coast or from the Umbria region.
If you arrive from the Adriatic there is the highway that starts from Fano towards Rome.
If you come from Gubbio, take the road Via Flaminia towards Fano.













Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa