Subiaco is not a very well-known town outside the border between Lazio and Abruzzo.
With its 8,500 inhabitants, this small town in Lazio is located in a predominantly mountainous area and is crossed by the Aniene River, touching closely some peaks of the nearby Simbruini mountains. The village itself is very beautiful to visit, helped by the presence of the remains of Emperor Nero’s residence, the Benedictine abbey, a bridge dedicated to Saint Francis, and the Abbey Fortress.
What many don’t know, however, is that within its territory hides the Laghetto di San Benedetto, better known locally as the Roman Caribbean.
The Laghetto di San Benedetto is a very interesting place because it is a wonderful originally artificial small lake not far from Nero’s villa. The lake, little more than a transparent rocky pool, is swimmable and is known among locals as a starting point for hiking or canoe excursions.
Let’s discover together the Laghetto di San Benedetto and all the beauties it hides.
What Is the Laghetto di San Benedetto?
The Laghetto di San Benedetto is the only artificial lake remaining around Nero’s villa, near Subiaco. It was created by damming the Aniene River several centuries ago and is a small body of water within a rocky basin. The turquoise water, surrounded by limestone rocks, gives the water a wonderful light blue hue.
The lake is constantly fed by a waterfall and is surrounded by poplars, white willows, hazelnut trees, and other plants; the lake’s tourist appeal, helped by its popularity on social networks like Instagram, has only increased over time.
How to Get to the Laghetto di San Benedetto?
Assuming you have arrived in Subiaco, getting to the Laghetto di San Benedetto is very easy since you only need to follow a well-marked path called ST2, about 2 km long. The nearest parking spot to reach the lake is at the Monastery of Santa Scolastica. After parking, just follow the ST2 path for the necessary kilometers, which will lead walkers down towards the Aniene River. After about 25 minutes of walking, you will reach a wooden bridge and, a hundred meters beyond it, you will finally be able to see the lake.
The ST2 trail mentioned is suitable for all types of walkers and, apart from a very slight slope, presents no difficulties for non-disabled people. The low risk of the trail makes it suitable for families with children as well.
The lazier visitors will be happy to know there is an alternative. The municipality of Subiaco has arranged urban bus line B to reach the lake. This line departs from the Cotral depot located in Piazza Falcone and takes tourists directly to the lake’s access area.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Laghetto di San Benedetto?
Given that the lake is always quite popular with locals and Lazio tourists during weekends, let’s see what the best season is to visit this splendid place.
Visiting is most recommended during spring and summer, considering the lake offers great relief to those who suffer from the summer heat. Autumn is also not a bad choice, as the surrounding wooded area colors itself in a variety of hues, offering a spectacular visual feast.
Is It True That Access to the Laghetto di San Benedetto Is Limited?
Yes, starting from 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the municipality decided to limit access to the Laghetto di San Benedetto. This does not mean access is impossible, but rather that to enter, you must pay a ticket.
This ticket, costing €1 per person,50 can be purchased on site shortly before arriving at the lake or can be booked online. Online booking can be done at this address and along with it, you can also book tickets for various activities organized by the agency managing tourism at the Laghetto di San Benedetto. Booking the ticket offers an interesting advantage: skipping the often long queues, especially on holidays.
What Activities Can You Do at the Laghetto di San Domenico?
The tour operator Asiarca manages events related in some way to the territory of the Laghetto di San Benedetto.
There are four different events you can participate in, and they can only be booked on site at the ticket office of the Laghetto di San Benedetto natural area.
- River trekking: trekking with wetsuit and equipment inside the Aniene River. The route includes safety ropes; tourists only need sneakers and a swimsuit. This event lasts about 2.5 hours and costs €35 per person.
- Full-day valley trekking: this is a long 15 km one-way trek that takes a group of at least five people to discover the valley above the Laghetto di San Benedetto area. The activity lasts about 7.5 hours and costs range from €41 for 5 people to €26 for 25 people.
- Half-day valley trekking: this trek goes from the Laghetto di San Benedetto to the old mill and back. The trek lasts about 4 hours and costs €13 per person for a minimum of 5 people.
- Wellness in nature: this event is a relaxation session through postural yoga, breathing, cryotherapy, and self-massage. The goal of this event is to provide a strong regenerative experience for both body and spirit. The participation fee for this event is €20 per person.
Conclusions
The Laghetto di San Benedetto is a beautiful place to spend a relaxing afternoon or, during summer, to take a refreshing swim. As strange as it may seem to find such clear and crystalline waters deep inland in Lazio, at the foot of the mountains separating this region from Abruzzo, the Laghetto di San Benedetto is there to amaze. If you’re looking for someone to go with, try signing up with Meeters; meeting new people interested in adventures like this will be much easier!