The floating island in lake Posta Fibreno
There is magic in the air of a nature reserve half way between Rome and Naples. Where the floating island in lake Posta Fibreno and other natural phenomena gives you cause for wonder.
It wasn’t exactly easy to find Lake Posta Fibreno on the slopes of the Apennine mountain range near Isola dei Liri, Venafro and Cassino. The country road along the north side of the lake goes from nowhere in particular to another sparsely inhabited mountain town, and there are no road signs to indicate directions. But after a couple of wrong turns, we passed a restored water mill and there behind a garden fence and a weeping willow tree was a lake of shallow, bluish green water.
Shades of green
Lake Posta Fibreno is located exactly halfway between Rome and Naples, and it used to be a stage station where mail horses were changed. Today it is mainly a centre of recreation for birdwatchers, anglers and scuba divers.
The karstic lake has a constant temperature of 10-12 C / 50 F and a rich ecosystem with many species of aquatic birds and numerous fish including the Carpione del Fibreno, which is only found in these waters. Scuba divers talk about a magic underwater world with outstanding visibility. And even from the shore you can see the wonderful waterscape of mossy mounds and a quivering vegetation of algae and vascular plants in various shades of green.
Scuba divers describe Lago Fibreno as a magic underwater world with outstanding visibility.
The floating island
It is possible to rent a pedal boat to navigate the tranquil waters or make a boating excursion in one of the flat-bottomed local ‘nane’ boats. We stayed ashore and listened for the wind in the willows, but no sounds could be discerned.
Maybe the lack of wind explains why we did not witness the main attraction of Posta Fibreno. Lake Posta Fibreno is one of the only places in Europe, where you can see a floating, green island that moves from side to side in a gentle breeze. The ‘Rota’ is formed by rhizomes, peat and roots and it has been known for hundreds of years, as the phenomenon was recorded by Pliny in his ‘Naturalis Historia’. Still it is something magnificent to discover.
One of the flat bottomed boats used on the lake.
It looks magical. Seems like a great place to pack a meal and simply relax all day. Ahhh!
Yes. And if you sit absolutely still for a prolonged period of zen moments, I’m sure you would see the island move.
Beautiful…
Thanks.
What a beautiful and interesting place. I can’t get over how clear that water looks. Spending the afternoon on the water here sound so relaxing. Sorry you didn’t see the floating island this time.
I think it has to be quite windy, if you are to see the island move. We are talking small joys here. It does not float from one bank to the other.
Beautiful! I love all the green! Looks like a great place to relax over the weekend at!
Yes, there are some gorgeous colours.
An elusive floating island – how exciting. Reminds me a little of the little floating marshes we find in forest lakes in Norway.
Oooh. Now you have me craving for old fir trees, rocky grounds and a troll in every hill side.