Borgo San Pietro
Borgo San Pietro: a fraction of Petrella Salto to discover
Located in the province of Rieti, Borgo San Pietro is a small fraction of the municipality of Petrella Salto that deserves to be discovered and visited. Known mainly for the presence of Lake Salto, created in 1940 with the construction of the impressive Salto Dam, Borgo San Pietro has many other attractions to offer.
Description of Borgo San Pietro
The village originally stood in a valley now submerged by the Lake Salto basin, but it was rebuilt on the shore of the lake along with the fractions of Teglieto, Fiumata, and Sant'Ippolito. Borgo San Pietro is an example of Italian Rationalism in a province that during the Fascist era had been marked mainly by rural or forestry interventions. A large plaque near the dam commemorates the casualties of the construction of the mighty cement barrier, over 90 meters high, and according to local popular legends at the time of its construction, it was the tallest dam in Italy. Almost on the shores of the lake stands the Chapel of Our Lady of Graces restored in 1999.
Monuments and places of interest
The Monastery of Santa Filippa Mareri
Submerged by the waters, the Monastery of Santa Filippa Mareri, dating back to the 13th century, attracts the attention of art and history lovers. During the summer, when the water level of the lake drops, part of the building of the ancient monastery resurfaces. The monastery has been reconstructed in the village, and some relics of the ancient monastery, including artworks and the saint's body, have been transported there. In the new monastery, the saint's body is preserved in an urn inside a chapel with some relics, including a tunic and separately in a glass case, the saint's heart. In the monastery's museum, it is possible to admire an old door and a bell from the old monastery dating back to the 16th century and several works by Giorgio de Chirico that the artist donated to the monastery, including a self-portrait painted in 1960.
Tourism
Borgo San Pietro offers many opportunities for tourists, especially thanks to the presence of Lake Salto. Equipped beaches with the possibility of renting umbrellas, sun loungers, and pedal boats, green areas for camping and picnics are indeed present. Access to the lake's waters, as well as from the beach (in some points of gravel and stones), is facilitated by comfortable platforms. There are also some restaurants with interesting panoramic views and some outdoor swimming pools built in the 2000s.
Infrastructure and Transport
Roads
The main road serving Borgo San Pietro is the State Road 578 Salto Cicolana (also known as the "Rieti-Torano motorway"), a high-speed road that passes above the village, connecting it on one side to the provincial capital Rieti and on the other to the A24 motorway exit that allows you to reach Rome.
Conclusions
Borgo San Pietro is the perfect place for a day trip or a relaxing holiday, where you can spend time by the lake, visit the Monastery of Santa Filippa Mareri, and enjoy the fantastic panorama offered by the village. Borgo San Pietro is also an important place for the historical memory of the area and for its Rationalist architecture, aspects that will surely attract the attention of art and history enthusiasts.
