Lake Iseo

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Iseo
Lago d'Iseo
image_lake = Isola di Loreto.jpg
caption_lake = Isola di Loreto
image_bathymetry = Lake Iseo.pngcaption_bathymetry = map
location = Lombardy
coords = coord|45|43|N|10|05|E|type:waterbody_region:IT|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Oglio
outflow = Oglio
catchment = 1777 km²
basin_countries = Italy
length = 25 km
width =
area = 65.3 km²
depth = 124 m
max-depth = 251 m
volume =
residence_time = 4.2 years
shore =
elevation = 181 m
islands = Monte Isola, Loreto, St. Paul
cities = "see article"

Lake Iseo or Lago d'Iseo or Sebino is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, Italy, fed by the Oglio river.

It is in the north of the country in the Val Camonica area, near the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. The lake is almost equally divided between the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. This is a heavily industrialised part of the world, but the area remains one of outstanding natural beauty. The road north to Switzerland used to run along the side of the lake, and stories about entire families being swallowed up by the murky waters abound. A much safer road, carved into the side of the mountains, now exists.

In the middle of the lake is Monte Isola (or Montisola), the largest island of any lake in southern Europe.

ettlements

Around the shore of the lake are a number of small towns:-

On the Brescian side:

#Iseo - from which the lake takes its name - with wide piazzas, and a lakeside promenade.
#Sulzano
#Marone - in a nearby valley up which are the so-called Earth Pyramids (a strange sight).
#Sale Marasino - a nondescript little town, but a good base.
#Pisogne- connects the lake with Valcamonica

On the Bergamo side:

#Sarnico - originally a prehistoric village on stilts, there are frescoes in the Church of San Nazario and a small picture gallery.
#Predore
#Tavernola Bergamasca
#Riva di Solto - a pretty little fishing village, near large limestone quarries.
#Castro- with an important steel factory
#Lovere - once a fortified town, it has a School of Fine Arts, and an art gallery (Accademia Tadini). Lovere is also famed for its nightlife and tourist facilities.

and on Montisola (Province of Brescia) are:-
#Peschiera Maraglio - a picturesque fishing village.
#Siviano, Sensole and Carzano - more fishing villages reached via the coastal path.
#Cure - the highest point on the island has a religious sanctuary.

Two smaller islands, Loreto and San Paolo, are privately owned.

External links

* [http://www.infomonteisola.com/ Info Monteisola]
*commonscat-inline|Lake Iseo|Sebino