Among the six most beautiful lakes in Italy it is impossible not to mention Lake Scanno, that is the largest natural lake in Abruzzo; it was formed following a landslide that blocked the course of the river Tasso and is immersed in a unique natural landscape, rich in fauna and spontaneous vegetation.
In its waters you can dive and regenerate, on its beaches (titled Blue Flag) you can relax while sunbathing. Many call it simply “the heart-shaped lake” since, seen from the other, it reminds just the shape; for this reason, from the lake starts the Paths of the Heart, a truly exciting scenic route.
Around the lake, then, there are several paths to complete on foot or by bike, while along the coast there are both areas for picnics, both play areas for children.
What to see at Lake Scanno
Lake Scanno is the main attraction of the homonymous village, elegant and charming, characterized by small and winding streets and narrow streets surrounded by palaces and ancient arches.
The peculiarity of the village of Scanno lies in the entrance steps to the palaces, also called “cemmause”; the village is easily accessible on foot following a circular path called “la Ciambella”, along which you come across the Church of Santa Maria della Valle, in typical Romanesque style of Abruzzo. Piazza San Rocco is one of the most beautiful squares in the city.
The historic center of the village is full of craft shops, especially goldsmiths, and among the main landmarks is the Wool Museum.
Path of the Heart
Those who want to see with their own eyes if Lake Scanno really has the shape of a heart, can reach the best observation point along the Path of the Heart: it consists of a dirt road, not signposted, leading upwards.
Fonte: blogspot.com
Unfortunately, it is not accessible to everyone, precisely because it is unprotected, but it is really worth following it to contemplate the final view, paying a lot of attention to obstacles.
Hermitage of Sant’Egidio
Along the Path of the Heart you can stop to visit the Hermitage of Sant’Egidio, a small stone building built on a hill built in rural Romanesque style.
Fonte: blogspot.com
Its construction should date back to around the seventeenth century since, on the lintel, is engraved the date of 1657, a period of maximum devotion to the saint considered a protector from the plague.
Viewpoint on the lake
After the Path of the Heart and admiring the Hermitage of Sant’Egidio, you finally arrive at the panoramic point par excellence from which you can observe Lake Scanno from above and see that it really has the shape of a heart.
Fonte: iviaggidiliz.it
The viewpoint is located overhanging the mountain but protected by a fence. It turns out to be the ideal place to take some photos and relax before taking the path back.
Church of Santa Maria del Lago
Before leaving Scanno and its lake, it is recommended to take a trip to the Church of Santa Maria del Lago, built overhanging the lake and equipped with an entrance staircase overlooking the water.
Fonte: wikimedia.org
Its construction dates back to the early eighteenth century in the place where, since the sixteenth century, the inhabitants of Scanno had placed the icon of a Madonna. In the altar, carved into the rock, is depicted the Madonna asking Pastor Forlone to build and dedicate a chapel by the lake.
Gastronomic tradition of Lake Scanno
Whoever is visiting Lake Scanno will, sooner or later, want to eat something good and, above all, typical. In the area there are restaurants and trattorias that offer local products and dishes related to tradition, prepared basically with poor ingredients and coming from the territory.
The main, as well as unmissable, are:
- cazzillitti di Scanno: homemade pasta, with a characteristic shape, prepared with Solina wheat and water from the Abruzzo mountain springs;
- Arrosticini sheep: beloved street food, are skewers of sheep meat, fairly large, cooked on the grill and seasoned with salt and oil;
- sagne: fresh homemade pasta with durum wheat semolina, cut into strips and cooked in its sauce with chickpeas, beans and meat;
- spaghetti alla chitarra: also here it is fresh pasta prepared at home and made with the appropriate frame that gives these special spaghetti their characteristic square shape. Generally, they are served with meat sauce of lamb, beef or pork or tomato sauce, chili, bacon and basil;
- Bear cake: a typical local dessert, composed of a small dome covered with a thin layer of dark chocolate;
- mostaccioli: other typical sweets made with sponge cake and almonds and covered with a icing of sugar and dark chocolate.
Fonte: dimassoscanno.it
If you think that every respectable typical dish must be accompanied categorically by a glass of local wine, in Abruzzo wine excellences are not lacking, indeed, they boast prestigious vines such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, (from which is also obtained Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo)or Chardonnay, Pecorino and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo.
Copertina: vaquelpaese
