Isola Santa: Lake, History and Routes to Monte Corchia

Isola Santa combines an artificial lake with a multifaceted local history and paths into the landscape of the Apuan Alps. If you would like to combine culture, water and activity during your trip, you will find several distinct points of interest here: the former Church of San Jacopo, archaeological traces from early history, an easy lakeside path to Pollaccia and hiking trails to Monte Corchia.

Lake, Dam and the History of the Place

The lake of Isola Santa is not a natural mountain lake. It was created by damming the Torrente Turrite Secca with a dam built in 1948–49. The creation of the lake permanently changed the landscape: the remains of the old Mulino Mosceta were submerged by the hydroelectric dam built in 1949. Thus, at the water’s edge you encounter not only a landscape feature, but also traces of an earlier use of the valley. The historical context also includes the location on a road that connected the Garfagnana with Versilia. Isola Santa therefore represents a place whose significance also stems from its connection between these two areas. One visible cultural reference is the Church of San Jacopo. It was already mentioned in 1260 and is now deconsecrated. During your visit, this aspect can be combined with the landscape impressions around the lake, without reducing the history of the place to a single building. Archaeological excavations add further depth to the picture. They provided evidence in Isola Santa of an open-air settlement that was inhabited during the late Paleolithic and subsequently in the Mesolithic. The site therefore reaches back to a period that predates the church mentioned in written records by a considerable margin.

Walks, Springs and Routes to Monte Corchia

For a shorter activity, an easy walking path follows the right shore of the lake to Pollaccia. Pollaccia is one of the important springs in the Apuan Alps. This path has a different focus from the hiking trails to Monte Corchia: here, the route along the lake and the destination at an important spring take center stage, while the routes to Monte Corchia connect the place with a named mountain destination. Fishing opportunities are also clearly regulated. Isola Santa has a specially regulated fishing area, which is used by numerous anglers to catch brown trout. If you are interested in this type of leisure activity, the area’s regulations are part of the local character and should be taken into account when planning.

Getting There and Further Options

Isola Santa is accessible by car; a short walk follows. Travel by public transport is also described: take the train to Castelnuovo Garfagnana and then bus E36 to Isola Santa. This provides two differently organized ways of getting there, without implying any particular accommodation or mode of transport. If you would like to choose your stay based on culture, the lake and walking routes, Isola Santa offers several clearly distinguishable themes for this. For further orientation, you can also access Pierdiscini.

For the higher-level travel overview: Careggine.