The story of the Vico Valley is linked to legends and mythology, according to which Hercules was the maker of Lake Vico.
Today, the lake and the surrounding area bear witness of the long volvanic activity on account of which the nearby Vcano voleano started to erupt. The morphologicalfeatures of the volvano can still be made out from the mounta in ring su rrounding the ReserveFurther to the volcano collapse, another smaller volvano rose inside of it and died out approximately 70,000years ago. An island was left for millennia, i.e. Mount Venere, surroundin by the lake.

Beech-wood

The whole area was then covered with thick woods, so impenetrable that they even terrorized Roman legions, that crossed them in 312 b.C. only.
The Romans laid aut Cassia consular road, that originally skirted the lake valley, climbing, the Northern ridge, up to 800 meters above sea level. Still today, thes forests cover mountain passes and ridges, extending up to the valley, where hazelnut-growing and grazing prevail; the area came to the light further to the lake-level drop.

The Reserve stetches on 3,240 hectares, of which 1,200 are accupied by the lake, 1,000 by cultivated land, and 1,000 by beech-woods and Turkey-oak plantations, including centuries-old trees exceeding 35 meters in height.
Thanks to the oceanic climate, nature is magnificent. Even minor tree- and plant-species are abundant, including many spontaneous orchids.

Moriglione

Fauna is manly aquatic, and lives on lake shores and in the marshland, where many species seek shelter mostly for wintering, like herons, cormorants, little egrets, mallards, pochards, and many mud-dwelling species. At night-time, mammals venture outof theirdens and lairs, to set out in search offood: wild boars, badgers, porcupines, foxes, and stone-martens.

The history of millennia and the delicate natural balances of nature could be understood just wa tch ing the lake - va lley. On ly a bit of attention and love for nature is needed to discover such treasure, hidden in the tiniest blade of grass.
The protection of this richness is up to us.

Click to enlarge

Orchid	Panoramic of Reserva	The lake of Vico
Natural reserve	Lake Vico	Riserva lago di Vico Boscho di Faggi
Beech-wood in october	October	Piro Piro
Hoopoe	Cormorants	Riserva Lago di Vico: Germano reale
Riserva Lago di Vico: Nibbio Bruno	Riserva Lago di Vico: Libellula	Riserva Lago di Vico: Airone cenerino
Riserva Lago di Vico: Airone bianco	Riserva Lago di Vico: Alzavola	Common snipe
Riserva Lago di Vico: Farfalla	Riserva Lago di Vico: Averla Piccola

All Phothos by Maurizio Vecchi, all rigth reserved

Photo gallery "spontaneous orchids" of Natural Reserve.


Other foto gallery

Photo gallery of Caprarola city

Photo gallery and Video of Sagra della Nocciola.


Informations:
Centro visite della Riserva Naturale Lago di Vico
Phine +39 761-647444
Touristic office, Phone +39 761-646157
Comune di Caprarola Phone +39 761-64901