Skip menu

Lake Vico

Overview

Like those of Bolsena, Bracciano and the Castelli Romani, Lake Vico is also of volcanic origin, but in this case the waters are surrounded by secluded green shores. The elevation is about 500 metres above sea level over an area of 12 square kilometres with a perimeter of about 18 kilometres, much less than in ancient times when the waters surrounded the Monte Venere which today rises some distance from the northern shore. Its waters, which the authorities claim are safe for swimming, can reach a depth of 45 metres and are home to pike, perch and whitefish. The fauna includes martens, foxes, weasels and wildcats as well as badgers and porcupines, and waterfowl such as the great crested grebe. Among the flora are some fifteen species of wild orchids.

The Vico basin lies on the slopes of Monti Cimini with their hazel groves and forests of oak, chestnut and beech trees, up to the almost 1,000-metre altitude of Monte Fogliano. The entire area has been protected since 1982 under the name of Lake Vico Nature Reserve: are more than four thousand hectares traversed by footpaths, yet still largely intact with no urban areas, few well-equipped lidos and a single small tourist area on the southern shore, between scattered traces of remote settlement since the Palaeolithic period.

The main settlement for Lake Vico is Caprarola, which until the early 1500s when the Farnese dynasty bought it from Pope Julius II, was simply a village. Today it is cited in all architectural history textbooks for the originality of the Palazzo Farnese curated in the second half of that century by Jacopo Barozzi known as the Vignola. 

Lago di Vico, Provincia di Viterbo, Italia

Related articles

Art and culture
Seven sites of art, history and culture just one hour from Rome

Seven sites of art, history and culture just one hour from Rome

Lakes
Lake Bracciano

Lake Bracciano

Villages
Roccalvecce: a walk in the forgotten village so close to Rome

Roccalvecce: a walk in the forgotten village so close to Rome

Museums and monuments
Viterbo, a place for popes and spa centres

Viterbo, a place for popes and spa centres

Villages
Orte, a glimpse into the great Tiber

Orte, a glimpse into the great Tiber

Traditions
The “Ottava of St. Egidio”: a marvellous mediaeval-style celebration

The “Ottava of St. Egidio”: a marvellous mediaeval-style celebration

Spirituality
The Via Francigena Lazio, more than just Rome

The Via Francigena Lazio, more than just Rome

Museums and monuments
The Garden of Ninfa

The Garden of Ninfa

Sport
Climb with sea views, by Sperlonga and Gaeta

Climb with sea views, by Sperlonga and Gaeta

Nature
Circeo National Park

Circeo National Park

Sea
Ostia: discovering the sea of Rome

Ostia: discovering the sea of Rome

Tours and experiences
Trips into the countryside starting from Rome

Trips into the countryside starting from Rome

Museums and monuments
The parks of Rome. Ideas and suggestions for full-immersion in nature in the heart of the Eternal City

The parks of Rome. Ideas and suggestions for full-immersion in nature in the heart of the Eternal City

Tours and experiences
Horse riding in the countryside in Italy

Horseback riding in and around Rome: 5 experiences not to be missed

Mountain
Landscapes of Latium

Landscapes of Latium

Leisure
The Big Jump on the Tiber and throughout Europe

The Big Jump on the Tiber and throughout Europe

Villages
Cori: the jewel of the Lepini mountains

Cori: the jewel of the Lepini mountains

Art and culture
Tarquinia: discover the Middle Ages

Tarquinia: discover the Middle Ages

Villages
Murale a Rocca di Papa. Photo by: Comune di Rocca di Papa

A tour at Rocca di Papa, a small town where over the centuries various legends have arisen

UNESCO
The Necropolises of Tarquinia and Cerveteri

The Necropolises of Tarquinia and Cerveteri

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.