An emerald-green artificial lake in the Val d'Agri
In the Val d'Agri, in the south of Basilicata, between the mountains of the Appennino Lucano National Park, lies the Lago del Pertusillo, an artificial lake created in the early 1960s by a dam on the Agri river, to supply water for agriculture and drinking water, also to neighbouring Apulia. About seven kilometres long, with water of an intense emerald green colour, it is surrounded by gentle hills covered with woods, olive groves and fields, and dominated by the villages of Spinoso, Montemurro and Grumento Nova, which overlook it from their hills. Over the decades, the lake has become an important wetland, recognised as a site of community interest, where herons, cormorants, ducks and other water birds stop, and where otters live.
The shores of the lake are ideal for walks, bike rides, birdwatching and picnics, especially in spring and autumn, when the colours of the landscape are most beautiful; some stretches are equipped with paths and rest areas. From the surrounding villages, the view of the lake, especially at sunset, is splendid. The area is rich in history and culture: nearby are the Roman city of Grumentum, with its theatre and amphitheatre, and the village of Montemurro, birthplace of the poet Leonardo Sinisgalli, the "engineer-poet", to whom a foundation and a literary park are dedicated. The Val d'Agri is also known for its typical products, such as the Canestrato di Moliterno cheese and the beans of Sarconi.
Tip: walk along the lake shore at sunset; visit Grumentum and Montemurro in the same day.
Where it is
More things to see in Basilicata
Where to stay near Spinoso
Tours and activities nearby
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