Petrella Salto in brief
Petrella Salto is a historic hill village in the Cicolano, the valley of the Salto in the province of Rieti. The old centre lies on a slope. Down at the water you find Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro, two lakeside villages that were rebuilt after the lake was filled in 1940. A fourth place, Varco Sabino, is where a climb to Monte Navegna begins.
Lago del Salto is the largest artificial lake in Lazio. Its shoreline is roughly 40 to 61 km long, so treat it as a long lake and plan by village, not by lap. If you would rather have someone else organise the day, the page on day trips from Rome explains what can be booked and what you arrange yourself.
The villages around Petrella Salto
Four places, four different reasons to stop.
Petrella Salto
The old village keeps the remains of the Rocca Cenci, a castle that is a ruin today, and two important churches, Sant'Andrea and SS. Annunziata. The castle is tied to Beatrice Cenci, who was held there and was later condemned and executed after the murder of her father. Do not plan around going inside the ruin: ask locally about access before you climb up.
Fiumata
A rebuilt lakeside village with a bridge. It has an equipped beach, and in the season you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas, kayaks and pedalos.
Borgo San Pietro
A modern settlement on the shore with a monastery. Its museum keeps relics and documents of the old monastery of San Pietro de Molito, founded in 1228 and abandoned when the lake rose in 1940. Opening hours change, so contact the museum before you go. The story of the flooded places has its own page, the drowned village.
Varco Sabino
The starting point for the climb to Monte Navegna, which reaches about 1,500 m. The nature reserve has offices here. For routes and rules see hiking around the lake.
Guided visits and day trips near Lago del Salto
Guided visits, boat trips and day trips around the lakes and Rieti, with live prices and availability.
Swimming and boating at Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro
There are equipped bathing spots at Fiumata and at Borgo San Pietro, with loungers, umbrellas, pedalos and canoes for rent. Nine designated bathing areas on the Salto were classified for the 2025 season, and the official bathing season in 2026 ran from 1 May to 30 September. Two named beaches, Rocca Villiana at Varco Sabino and Altobelli at Borgo San Pietro, get extra checks for algae.
A water classification is not a clearance for every stretch of shore. Check on the spot where swimming is allowed, whether a lifeguard is on duty and what the rental costs, because rental prices and opening days are set locally. More detail is on the page about swimming in Lago del Salto.
The Cicolano: the valley around the lake
The Cicolano is the valley of the Salto. Its name is traced back to the ancient Equi. It is not another word for the whole province of Rieti, and the next valley over, along Lago del Turano, has its own villages. Rocca Sinibalda sits in that valley, with a castle you visit on a guided tour; see Rocca Sinibalda.
The town of Rieti is the natural base for the Cicolano. Its old centre and its underground tour are covered on the page about Rieti.
Which village for what
A quick comparison of the places above.
| Place | Setting | Good for | Swimming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrella Salto | Slope above the lake | Old centre, churches, views | None |
| Fiumata | Lakeside, with a bridge | Beach, kayaks, pedalos | Equipped beach |
| Borgo San Pietro | Lakeside, with a monastery | Museum of the old monastery | Equipped beach |
| Varco Sabino | Foot of Monte Navegna | Start of a mountain walk | Named beach |
For most visitors, a good day combines a morning in the old centre of Petrella Salto with an afternoon at Fiumata or Borgo San Pietro, where the water is.
Getting to Petrella Salto
Reach it by road or by local bus.
By car
The Strada Cicolana runs about 20 km from Rieti, about 55 km from Avezzano and about 50 km from L'Aquila to the lake. The lake is long, so these numbers do not apply to every beach.
By bus
A bus line connects Borgo San Pietro, Petrella Salto, Cittaducale and Rieti. Check the current timetable and fares before you go, because days and times change. The regional operator also runs an on-demand bus, ChiamaBus, from Monday to Saturday between 08:00 and 19:00, not on public holidays, booked by app or call centre. Petrella and Varco Sabino are among its stops.
From Rome
Go to Rieti first, by train or regional bus, then on to the lake. There is no direct link from the Rome airports to the lake. The page on getting there from Rome has the steps.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Petrella Salto: frequently asked questions
Is Petrella Salto under the lake?
No. The historic village stands on a slope above the water. The lakeside villages such as Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro were rebuilt after the lake filled in 1940. The flooded places are covered on the page about the drowned village.
Can I visit the Rocca Cenci?
The castle is a ruin. Plan to see it from the village and ask locally before you count on going inside, because entry and visiting times for the ruin are not fixed.
Where can I swim near Petrella Salto?
The equipped spots are at Fiumata and at Borgo San Pietro. The official bathing season in 2026 ran from 1 May to 30 September. Ask on site about bans and lifeguards.
Can I get to Petrella Salto without a car?
Yes, with planning. Take a train or regional bus to Rieti, then the local bus line towards Petrella Salto or the on-demand ChiamaBus. Check the timetable first, because the lake is not served by a frequent shuttle.
Is this the official website of Petrella Salto?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the municipality, the Lazio region or the company that runs the lake, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.