Once known as Lake of Carinola, it is a volcanic lake at the foot of mount Massico, in the municipality of Falciano del Massico.

Subject of remediation since Bourbons age, its delicate ecosystem had been almost destroyed by the hydraulic works of the 1970s, and recently decisive measures have been taken for the restoration of the original pre-existing structure.


Due to tis naturalistic and historic importance the site has been protected as a nature reserve and falls within the territory of the municipalities of Falciano del Massico and Mondragone. The flora is represented by typical plants of lake basins (common read, cattail, swamp sawgrass and sparaganium erectum) and, all around, by white willow, poplar and alder. Between the animal species, as well as several bird species both migratory and non-migratory, there are also foxes, weasels, beech martens, moles and voles. The Etruscan Shrew is an absolute rarity. It is a tiny shrew of only 4 centimetres long and is the smallest mammal in Europe.

Ph: Carlo Amendola