Cardinal - La Conca della Lacina
Around the lake that occupies its bottom spreads a crown of forests that are among the most considerable in the Calabrian Serre Park
Where is
A basin among the wooded peaks of the Serre Mountains
The Lacina is a mountain basin opening at an altitude of just under 1,000 meters, falling within the municipalities of Brognaturo, Cardinale and San Sostene, on the border between the provinces of Catanzaro and Vibo Valentia. Since the 1990s, with the construction of the dam on the Alaco River, the bottom of the basin has been occupied by an artificial lake that somewhat jaggedly covers an area of about two square kilometers. The main access road is Provincial Road 43, which climbs from Brognaturo (m 760) to below the summit of Mount Tramazza (m 1125).
A destination for shepherds and woodcutters since ancient times.
The place has revealed signs of ancient frequentation, likely motivated by the practice of pastoralism and forestry activities. The toponym Lacina, which refers to the Greek goddess Hera Lacinia, suggests the existence of an ancient settlement, with implied extension to a cult building, of which, however, no trace has been found so far. The only significant presence, documented since the 16th century, is the so-called Castle of the Baroness, now reduced to an evocative ruin in the thick of the forest, with all that comes with it in terms of macabre legends.
One of the most valuable habitats in the Serre Park
Despite the loss of much of the marshland that once occupied the bottom of the basin, wetland environments of considerable naturalistic interest remain on the edge of the body of water. Then follows a strip of wild grasslands with varied blooms. And, finally, the mixed forest in a composition-beech, white fir and Calabrian larch pine-that is peculiar to these mountains. A botanical and consequently faunal heritage that has justified the establishment of a Special Area of Conservation of about 350 hectares within the Calabrian Serre Park.
Wetland environments frequented by the elusive howler.
In the long list of animal species reported in the area, one of the most curious, right from its name, is the now rare and endangered Apennine howler, Bombina pachypus a small frog with a wrinkled back, anything but conspicuous, except when, feeling in danger, it pretends to be dead, belly in the air, displaying a disconcerting yellow-black blotchiness, effective in deterring predators.
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