Lago di Pilato, Glacial lake in Sibylline Mountains, Italy.
Lago di Pilato is a glacial lake in the Sibylline Mountains at about 1,941 meters elevation, consisting of two connected pools that resemble eyeglasses when water levels are high. The lakes sit in a U-shaped valley below Monte Vettore and are surrounded by steep slopes.
The lake formed during the Upper Pleistocene epoch through glacial activity that carved a deep valley in the Apennine range. In medieval times, local authorities built walls around it to restrict access to the site.
The name links to medieval legends about Pontius Pilate, stories that shaped local folklore for generations. Visitors can sense this ancient connection as they walk around the water's edge today.
Access requires a three-hour uphill hike through Monti Sibillini National Park, so sturdy boots and fitness are necessary. Water levels vary greatly by season, with the best visiting months being June through September.
The water is home to Chirocephalus marchesonii, a rare freshwater shrimp found nowhere else that swims upside down in the water. This tiny species is a living remnant from a distant glacial past.
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