Lake Bracciano, Volcanic crater lake in Province of Rome, Italy
Lake Bracciano is a crater lake north of Rome that spreads across a nearly circular area surrounded by wooded hills. The water is deep and clear, and along the shore there are several small beaches of dark sand as well as reeds that grow in the shallower zones.
Volcanic eruptions in the Sabatini area filled an ancient depression with water and formed the lake several hundred thousand years ago. Roman emperors built summer houses here because the location near the city and the cool breeze from the water were pleasant.
Three medieval villages line the shore and draw Romans who come on weekends to eat fresh fish at restaurants with lake views. The town of Bracciano sits below a 15th-century castle whose towers are visible from the water and became known as a wedding venue.
Only rowboats and sailboats are allowed on the lake because the water is protected as a drinking source. Walking paths run around parts of the shore, and in summer the small bathing beaches are often busy on weekends.
Archaeologists discovered beneath the water the remains of a Stone Age village where wooden boats and tools from around 5700 BC were preserved. The findings show that people were already settled here and grew grain long before Rome was founded.
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