Lago di Barrea, Nature reserve and lake in Abruzzo, Italy
Lago di Barrea is a lake within Abruzzo's national park that stretches across a mountain valley and reaches depths of 31 meters. The water fills the area behind a dam built on the Sangro River, bordered by three towns at its edges.
The water was dammed in 1954 when construction on the Sangro River reshaped water management for the mountain region. This flooding created an entirely new habitat that transformed the landscape from valley to lake.
The village of Barrea nearby shows traditional stone buildings with small windows clustered tightly on steep slopes to protect from mountain weather. Local people built homes this way for practical living in harsh highlands where every position counts for survival.
The lake can be reached from three surrounding towns: Barrea, Villetta Barrea, and Civitella Alfedena, each offering different access routes. Spring through autumn offers the best conditions, when weather is stable and paths are easier to walk.
The water hosts rare water birds and animals that are found nowhere else in Italy. Several species living here appear on international protection lists and could not survive anywhere else in the region.
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