Lago di Castel dell'Alpi, San Benedetto Val di Sambro

Lake Castel dell'Alpi is a small natural reservoir located in the Bolognese Apennines, near the hamlet of the same name in the municipality of San Benedetto Val di Sambro.

The lake is located in the upper Savena valley, about 700 meters above sea level. It was formed as a result of a large landslide that, in February 1951, broke away from the left side of the valley and blocked, just like a dam, the course of the Savena stream, here just 6 km long. The village of Castel dell'Alpi, formerly located just on the left bank of the stream, was completely destroyed by this event, which, however, spared the church and its bell tower. Now the village has been partly rebuilt on the right bank of the lake, which has now become a welcome tourist destination, especially in summer.

This small lake is the only one among those in the province of Bologna that was formed naturally: in fact, the lakes of Suviana, Brasimone, and Santa Maria are all artificial.