Lake Omodeo, Artificial reservoir in Sardinia, Italy
Lake Omodeo is a reservoir in central Sardinia, fed by the Tirso River and spreading across hilly terrain. The water covers valleys and reaches considerable depth in some areas, surrounded by rocky slopes and scattered vegetation.
The first dam was built between 1919 and 1924 and ranked as the largest reservoir in Europe at the time. A new barrage was constructed in the 1990s further downstream, giving the lake its current size.
The artificial lake bears the name of engineer Angelo Omodeo, who designed the original project in the early 20th century. Today, fishermen use the calm waters and hikers explore the shoreline, while the water continues to irrigate fields across the province.
The reservoir sits inland and is reached via country roads that wind through hilly countryside. Water levels shift throughout the year, changing the visible shoreline and the accessibility of certain areas.
When drought lowers water levels, submerged sites emerge, including remains of old settlements and fossilized forest from tropical times. These hidden traces remind visitors that the area once looked completely different.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
