Lake Fusaro is one of the four lakes of Campi Flegrei. It is located in the homonymous hamlet in the province of Bacoli. Monte di Cumae to the north and Monte di Procida to the south encloses the lagoon basin, which presents a natural scenery that views the islands of Ischia and Procida as a panoramic background. A thin coastal strip separates the Lake from the sea.
Origins
Lake Fusaro was well-known in ancient times. It was sometimes identified as an infernal swamp because of the sulphurous vapours emanating from its waters. The Lake is also known as Acherusio, from Archerusia Palus, the infernal swamp formed by the Acheron River. Formerly, the Lake looked like a gulf on the sea, then closed over the centuries with the formation of dunes. Presumably, given the shallowness of its waters, the Lake was used as a commercial landing place and a breeding ground for oysters and crustaceans.
Nature
The narrow coastal strip that separates the Lake from the sea is home to an ecosystem of great environmental interest. Surrounded by varied and spontaneous vegetation, mostly identifiable as Mediterranean scrub, Lake Fusaro is home to countless plants, including rosemary, juniper and chamomile. Moreover, given the natural sweetness of its waters, the basin has been a natural habitat and a great producer of tasty oysters since ancient times.
The Lake through history
During the Roman era, emperors and influential personalities of the Empire had beautiful residential villas and spas built on the shores of Lake Fusaro. Then, the Lake experienced its second epoch of splendour during the 18th century, when the Bourbon noble family wanted to use this area as a royal fishing and hunting reserve. The famous Royal Bourbon Casino is the most significant example.
The Royal Bourbon Casino of Lake Fusaro
The Royal Bourbon Casino of Fusaro, better known as Casina Vanvitelliana, is a late Baroque architecture located on a small island in Lake Fusaro, joined to the mainland by a pretty little bridge. In the second half of the 18th century, Ferdinand of Bourbon commissioned the structure to the architect Carlo Vanvitelli, son of the famous Luigi, author of the splendid Royal Palace of Caserta. The tiny house was conceived as a noble residence for idleness, where the King of Naples could rest after fishing and hunting. The small dwelling is a true architectural gem. Its position on the Lake and the colours it takes on at sunset turn it into a truly romantic place. The Casina Vanvitelliana is the Lake's pride indeed.
How to reach Lake Fusaro from Al Chiar di Luna
Al Chiar di Luna is less than 10 km from the beautiful Lake Fusaro. You can reach it by car or taxi (about 20 minutes) or public transport (45 minutes).