Lake Salinella
The Lake Salinella is a small coastal back-dune lake, neatly divided in two by the border between Apulia and Basilicata within the protected area in the locality of Torre Mattoni-Lake Salinella. It is precisely located between the hamlet Marina di Ginosa of the municipality of Ginosa and the hamlet Metaponto of the municipality of Bernalda.
Characteristics
The lake extends into a wetland back-dune area formed at the old mouth of the Bradano River. Its habitat makes it ideal for the residence of storks.For this reason, it has been protected, established by the Apulia Regional Law No. 19 of 24 July 1997. In 1996, the lake and surrounding dunes, covering a protected area of 140 hectares, were entrusted to the management of Lipu.
The lake is situated within the natural area, Site of Community Importance SIC IT9130006. It is also part of the Site of Community Importance of the Ionian coast Foce Bradano SIC IT9220090.
It can only be visited during the summer period. To view it, one must cross a tourist village, despite the Ginosa Municipality’s General Regulatory Plan mandating public access. It is possible to visit it from the Basilicata side, in the Municipality of Bernalda, by fording the Bradano River with the assistance of naturalistic guides.
To the east of the lake, in the Apulian part of it, there is a coastal tower built in the 16th century,.
The protected area can be visited with the support of guides from the CEA Bernalda e Metaponto association, by prior reservation.