Riserva regionale Lago piccolo di Monticchio, Regional nature reserve at volcanic crater lakes in Atella, Italy
Riserva regionale Lago piccolo di Monticchio is a protected nature reserve built around two lakes that formed inside extinct volcanic craters in the Basilicata region. The lakes sit at about 650 meters elevation, surrounded by forests with walking paths, a small dock for boat rentals, and the adjacent San Michele Abbey nearby.
The area received protection status in 1984 to preserve the natural habitats and the adjacent monastery built in the 8th century. The two lakes formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity in the Vulture mountain massif.
The Benedictine monastery of San Michele overlooks the water and contains a Natural History Museum where visitors can see fossils and minerals that tell the story of the region's volcanic past. The museum helps explain how the landscape and wildlife here are shaped by ancient geological events.
You can reach the reserve via the SS 93 road heading toward Melfi, where parking is available near the lakes. A small dock lets you rent boats to explore the water, and walking trails allow you to move through the wooded areas on foot.
The reserve is home to Brahmaea europaea, a rare moth discovered in 1963 that is the only member of its family living in Europe. This species exists nowhere else on the continent, making this site a remarkable refuge for this isolated population.
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