Pilate Lake

It is a body of water of glacial origin of the Alpine type, one of the few in the Apennines, enclosed in a narrow glacial valley north of the main peak of the massif, surrounded by the highest peaks of the Sibillini Mountains (Monte Vettore 2476 m, Cima del Redentore 2449 m, Cima del Lago 2422 m and Pizzo del Diavolo 2,410 m). The only natural lake in the Marche, it was formed due to the damming created by the remains of a glacial moraine. The latest modeling of the glacial valley is from the Upper Pleistocene (125,000 to 10,000 years ago). Its location between impervious and vertical walls immediately below the top of Monte Vettore is particular and suggestive.
The lake is home to a particular endemism, the Marchesoni Chirocephalus: it is a small red crustacean measuring 9-12 millimeters and swims with its belly facing upwards. The area also has a very small insect called dytiscis, a black aquatic beetle of Boreal-Alpine origin.

The Pilato lakes are a destination not to be missed for those arriving in the Marche region. With a journey lasting about 3 hours you reach the top where the lakes are. BE CAREFUL: swimming is prohibited! It is forbidden to approach! In fact, the Marchesoni chirocephalus lays its eggs on the banks

Lago di Pilato (Pilate lake) is a glacial lake located in Sibillini Mountains, among the Apennines at 1991 mt.
It is located in a narrow glacial valley beneath Mount Vector (2476 m) and Redeemer Peak(2448 m) summits.

The lake takes its name from a legend in which Pontius Pilate was killed there and buried under lake bed as punishment for his role at passion of the Christ time.

Unique also for Chirocephalus marchesonii, a freshwater shrimp endemic to this lake.