Holiday apartment in Lesina: discover lagoon, nature and culture

Lesina lies on the southwestern shore of the lagoon of the same name. As a result, waterscapes, coastal nature and a history reaching back to Bronze Age finds and Roman traces come together here.

Lagoon, dunes and protected landscapes

The Lesina Lagoon is separated from the sea by the Bosco Isola dune barrier. Bosco Isola forms a 15-kilometre-long dune biotope with an extensive system of Mediterranean maquis. To the east lies the Sacca Orientale, a natural wetland that belongs to the Natura 2000 network under the designation IT9110015. The state nature reserve on the eastern Lago di Lesina covers 930 hectares of a predominantly freshwater lagoon with dense reed beds.

Other landscape areas also make Lesina varied. The Schiapparo isthmus separates the Lesina Lagoon from the Adriatic and lies within a protected area. West of the mouth of the Fortore stretches the Palude Le Marinelle, with arable land, wet meadows and dune ponds farther inland. At the mouth of the Canale Acquarotta, dark igneous rocks, black limestone and gypsum emerge at Punta delle Pietre Nere. Nearby there are also small areas of biocalcarenite deposits with Cladocora caespitosa just above today's sea level.

Museums, towers and traces of the past

The Museo Etnografico della Laguna brings together the natural environment and local history. It includes a brackish-water aquarium with 14 tanks directly connected to the lagoon. The museum also includes the Casa del Pescatore section, which conveys the material culture and the local community's everyday relationship with its environment. The museum in the former bishop's palace houses archaeological objects from the Roman, Byzantine and medieval periods; admission is free.

The remains of a Roman villa are preserved on the island of San Clemente in the Lago di Lesina. At low tide, the island emerges from the lagoon. Numerous Bronze Age pottery finds come mainly from this island in the lake. The towers are also spread across distinctive landscapes: Torre Fortore lies between the Fortore River and Lago di Lesina. Its construction began following a concession granted in 1485 and was completed around 1540. Torre Scampamorte stands on the strip of land separating the sea from the lagoon. At the mouth of the Fortore there is also the ruined tower Torre Mozza, on the side of the mouth opposite Torre Fortore.

Choose a holiday apartment in Lesina to suit your travel interests

When planning your stay, it is worth organising your priorities. The Centro Visite del Parco della Laguna is located near the lagoon within the built-up area of Lesina and organises nature, cultural and historical excursions in the lagoon area. Guided catamaran excursions begin near the lagoon museum; the meeting point for a lagoon boat trip is on the lakeshore in Lesina.

Various options are available for walks and longer routes. From Torre Scampamorte, a route on a natural surface leads to Foce Schiapparo and to a metal bridge over the drainage canal. The route from Canale Acquarotta to Torre Scampamorte through Bosco Isola is 11.5 kilometres long. Another route across Bosco Isola leads over a footbridge to the sea; the footbridge protects the dunes and makes access easier for people with disabilities. Torre Mozza can be reached via small paths leading from the Le Marinelle pine forest towards the sea. The Oasi Duna di Lesina offers paths through reed beds, Mediterranean maquis and lagoon basins and is suitable for excursions by mountain bike.

The lagoon cruise travels through the western basin to the Acquarotta Canal and provides historical and natural-history information. A guided excursion through Bosco Isola includes an explanation of the function of the Lavoriero, a visit to the Pagliaio, an old fisherman's house used during the fishing season, and, depending on the weather, a walk from the lagoon shore to the seashore. This allows you to compare different ideas for a day out before choosing the right holiday apartment or accommodation in Lesina.

Eel, fishing and local tradition

Eel from the Lesina Lagoon is recognised as a Slow Food “Presidio del gusto” and is prepared according to traditional local recipes. Historical eel fishing involved Paranze, or Pagghiari, erected on the banks, as well as Bertovelli traps. This fishing took place from October to December. In culinary terms, the Sagra delle anguille usually follows this tradition in the second week of December and focuses on dishes featuring eel from Lesina.

Other places

Lucera, Alberona, Stornara, San Marco In Lamis, Faeto, Castelluccio Dei Sauri, Candela, Rocchetta Sant'antonio

For the overarching travel overview: Foggia.