SCANNO LAKE

SCANNO
From the apartment is just 1 h 39 minutes by car.

Scanno is a fine town with Medieval roots and one of the most popular with visitors to Abruzzo. A harmonious blend of architecture, ranging from Medieval to Renaissance, and even Baroque, weaves a fascinating urban fabric for this old town. We suggest starting a tour at the church of Santa Maria in Valle, which contains all three, but all of the old town’s many beautiful churches, houses huddled one against the other, the mansions and stairways, all deserve careful observation. Photographers in search of interesting images will be delighted to see the town’s old folk in and around the streets and archways, wearing a traditional costume that is thought to be of Montenegro origin. Typical local crafts include pillow lace and gold jewellery: doilies, tablecloths and shawls can be purchased from many craft workers in Scanno, as can pendants, rings and necklaces in delicate filigree. Lake Scanno lies at the foot of the town, along the road that reaches the Gole del Sagittario gorge. The lake is spectacular and has a pleasant climate so is an excellent destination for tourists seeking fresh air, or for birdwatchers, anglers and canoeists. A massive landslide from Mount Genzana in ancient times blocked the Sagittario Valley and created the lake, which filled a vast basin at 922 metres. In recent decades, the traditional presence of anglers on the shore or in boats (the lake teems with precious fish species) is flanked by bathers, tourists who rent pedal boats, and visitors who enjoy water sports and arrive at the lake to surf or canoe.