Lake Santa Giustina

Lake Santa Giustina lies in the immediate vicinity of the more well-known lakes of Tovel and Molveno and stretches over a surface of 3.5 sq km. This fascinating body of water, which owes its name to the nearby Santa Giustina hermitage, measures a length of 6 km, a width of 1 km and a maximum depth of 150 metres. Along its shores lie the municipalities of Cles, Cagnò and Sanzeno and above its right shore stands the impressive Castel Cles.

The construction of the dam wall was completed in 1952 and required a huge effort by the local population who lost 406 hectares of land, farms, roads and bridges. This still operating, 152.50-metre high dam wall, which is still a landmark for the production of hydroelectric energy, used to be the highest dyke of Europe for many years.

If you undertake a relaxing walk to the hamlet of Plaze di Dermulo in March or April, you will witness a unique phenomenon produced by the particularly low water level of the season. The important historic buildings which were submerged by the water of the lake at the time of its formation resurface on some days of the year. Several bridges, including the Pont dei Regai, the small mediaeval bridge Pont della Mula, the ancient Roman bridge Ponte Alto and the Ponte Largaiolo, a mediaeval bridge which connected the villages of Sanzeno and Plaze in former times, re-emerge.

The parco fluviale Novella in the vicinity of the lake offers canoe and kayak trips, as well as hikes in the canyons carved by the Noce stream and in the Santa Giustina gorges. From the panoramic viewpoint Dos de Pez in Cles you can take unforgettable pictures of the lake from a bird's eye view.

The Radicosauro

At the park of Plazo Dermulo you can admire a unique fantastic sculpture: the radicosauro. This artwork by Marco Martalar, a local artist who also created the Cavallo di Predaia (the horse of Predaia), the Drago di Vaia (the dragon of Vaia) and the Orso del Pradel (the bear of Pradel) was built with the roots and wood found on the lake shores. In some periods of the year it is partially under water.