by Historically low waters on the lake have exposed a dam of sand and stone.
On foot or by bike, visitors stream the narrow path that connects the tiny island to the edge of Lake Garda, a symbol of northern Italy’s winter drought.
Dotted with cypress trees and rocky white beaches, the island of San Biagio was only accessible by boat in the past.
But historically low water levels on the lake have exposed a dam of sand and stones — and tourists flock to the site.
“It’s a beautiful sight but at the same time sad because it’s caused by the drought. We hope it will be short-lived,” said Alberto Pampuri, 62, who with his wife and two friends from nearby Brescia, attended the place cycled.
The unusual phenomenon is reminiscent of the Floating Piers installation created by artist Christo in 2016, when yellow floating footbridges were laid across nearby Lake Iseo.
“But they were artificial bridges, while this is a natural work of art,” said Agata Carteri, a 48-year-old teacher.
Lack of snow on the surrounding mountains, warm temperatures and no rain for six weeks have caused the water level of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, to drop to its lowest winter level in 30 years.
The waterline is 60 to 70 centimeters below the average for the last few decades.
Dotted with cypress trees and rocky white beaches, the island of San Biagio was only accessible by boat in the past.
Warning signals
After a record drought last summer that destroyed crops, northern Italy is showing warning signs again as water levels in the Po River, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como are low.
Five years ago, Matteo Fiori had to wade his way to San Biagio Island, also known as the Island of the Rabbits, holding his backpack over his head to keep him dry.
“The water was up to my chest, it was an adventure,” said the 45-year-old social worker as he inspected the newly created dam.
While the lack of snow is struggling for mountain ski resorts, the news of low water is a boost for the small community of Manerba del Garda.
“The island has become a popular off-season attraction,” said Mayor Flaviano Mattiotti.
“But if the lake level doesn’t rise in the spring, we’re ready to dredge the harbors to allow access for tourist boats, which would be a first.”
Almost 28 million tourists visited Lake Garda last year, around 40 percent of them from Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
After a record drought last summer that destroyed crops, northern Italy is again showing warning signs.
walk on water
“It’s like walking on water,” said Afra Vorhauser, from northern Merano, after walking across to the uninhabited island.
In the bright February sun, families ate picnics on the lawn or at wooden tables while children climbed the rocks or cleaned stones on the exposed beaches.
A “new tourist movement has emerged this winter, born out of curiosity to discover areas of the lake that are usually submerged,” said Paolo Artelio, director of the local tourism agency Visitgarda.
These include the Catullus Caves, the ruins of a Roman villa built on the Sirmione peninsula, part of which arose thanks to the lower water level.
Officials wish to emphasize that the lake’s normal attractions will remain in place.
But officials want to emphasize that the lake’s normal attractions will remain in place.
“For tourists, nothing changes because the lake still has an average depth of 136 meters – they can surf, sail or swim as they wish,” says Pierlucio Ceresa, Secretary General of the Garda Community, responsible for the quality of the water .
He said it was “premature to declare a disaster” and said if there was snow in the coming weeks and rain in March, the situation would “return to normal”.
© 2023 AFP
Citation: Lake Garda tourists flock to an island reconnected by drought (2023 February 23) retrieved February 23, 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-02-lake-garda-tourists-flock-island .html
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