Gli Sgarroni: Lakes, Nature and Historical Traces

Lakes and Nature in the Surrounding Area

The area around Monticchio Sgarroni combines nature with historic sites. The Laghi di Monticchio consist of two volcanic lakes, Lago Piccolo and Lago Grande, in the area around Monticchio Sgarroni. When planning your trip, this combination of lakeside scenery and historic sites can be given different emphasis: you can focus on observing nature or include the cultural and historical destinations around Monticchio Sgarroni.

Another natural feature can be found in Grotticelle. Grotticelle is known as a habitat of the European Brahma moth. There are also numerous small caves there, which were formerly used by charcoal burners to store wood and charcoal. In Grotticelle, the habitat of the European Brahma moth and the former use of the caves by charcoal burners represent two distinct local features. For your individual trip to Italy, nature observation and an insight into a historic use of the landscape can be combined here as separate interests.

Routes and Excursion Ideas

The local road connection is designated “Monticchio Bagni – Monticchio Sgarroni – valico quota 113”. On January 18, 2026, the Club Alpino Italiano planned an excursion to Grotticelle and to MontagnaTerapia in Monticchio Sgarroni.

During the excursion through Grotticelle, the castle ruins are reached after approximately two kilometers on a slightly uphill unpaved route. For personal day planning, this approximately two-kilometer section with a gentle incline and unpaved surface should be considered a separate part of the excursion. These route characteristics remain specifically associated with the excursion through Grotticelle and its destination, the castle ruins.

Historical Traces of Monticchio

Today, the Castello di Monticchio preserves a tall tower with a pseudo-square floor plan and three living quarters. Several supporting arches of a cistern are located beneath the living quarters. The surviving structure therefore comprises the tall tower, its living quarters and the structural remains of the cistern. The site thus combines a distinctive tower form with visible structural remains that bring the historic character of Monticchio to life.

Several ancient and historic destinations lie in the immediate vicinity of Monticchio Sgarroni. These include the ancient site of Monticchio-Santa Maria di Luco. The ruins of Abbazia di Sant'Ippolito are also located nearby. The ancient site of C.da Sant'Antonio is situated in the area around Monticchio Sgarroni. Monticchio-Santa Maria di Luco and C.da Sant'Antonio are ancient sites, while the ruins are the focus at Sant'Ippolito. This creates a broad range of places with different historical associations for travelers interested in culture.

The Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo is also located in Monticchio, in the area around Monticchio Sgarroni. The ancient religious building was constructed around the 8th century AD. Within the historic landscape, the abbey thus stands alongside the Castello di Monticchio and the ancient sites in the immediate vicinity.

More Destinations to Discover

Cultura, Genzano Di Lucania, Ruoti, Acerenza, Sant'arcangelo, Pescopagano, Lauria and Ginestra

For the higher-level travel overview: Potenza.