Lagoni di Mercurago Natural Park, Nature reserve in Arona, Italy
Lagoni di Mercurago Natural Park is a protected area covering around 473 hectares near Lake Maggiore with lakes, marshes, meadows, and woodlands. The site spans four municipalities and creates a mosaic of different natural habitats within a single reserve.
Archaeological digs starting in 1860 uncovered Italy's first Bronze Age stilt settlement hidden beneath the wetlands. The excavations brought to light ancient wooden wheels and a wooden boat that reveal how early inhabitants adapted to this marshy terrain.
The park's name reflects its historical importance as a Mercury trading site, and visitors walk through landscapes shaped by ancient settlement patterns along the waterways. The open wetlands and forest edges show how people once lived and worked in this region.
The park offers four different walking routes through wetlands, forests, productive landscapes, and archaeological zones, each revealing different aspects of the area. Plan to wear sturdy shoes as parts of the terrain can be muddy, especially after rain or in wetter seasons.
Hidden within the protected wetlands are pastures dedicated to raising thoroughbred racehorses, an unusual combination rarely seen in nature reserves. This mix of equestrian breeding and ecological conservation creates a distinctive character found in few other places.
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