Immersed in the greenery of the protected natural area, visitors can explore the Monticchio Lakes, located on the south-western slope of Mount Vulture. The two lakes, Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo, are situated in the crater mouths of the ancient volcano.
Due to the difference in altitude between the two basins, water from Lago Piccolo flows through a channel between the two lakes into the other lake, which has a water level about 2 metres lower. Lago Grande has an emissary that flows into the Ofanto River.
Lago Grande is distinguished by a funnel-shaped basin with very steep walls, which opens up in the northern half, while the southern half has a shallow bottom that slopes gently towards the basin. Beyond a depth of 10 metres, its temperature remains more or less constant at below 8°C.
Lago Piccolo is a "meromictic" lake: the deep inflow of hot spring water, rich in mineral salts, means that, due to its high density, the bottom waters do not mix with the surface waters, despite their high temperatures.
Along the banks of the two bodies of water stands the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of San Michele.
Built on the sides of the ancient crater, the abbey, together with the remains of the Sant'Ippolito complex, is tangible evidence of the presence of monastic orders in the Vulture area, and the frescoes from the mid-11th century do not escape the notice of the more attentive eye.
The Abbey of San Michele is also home to the Vulture Natural History Museum.
The Monticchio lakes are "places of the heart" which the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) Foundation will be addressing with one of its 27 new projects following the ninth "census of Italian places not to be forgotten", promoted by the FAI itself. The FAI will carry out a project at the Monticchio lakes to help visitors understand and explore the area around the lakes.