Pian di Spagna

Pian di Spagna: A Wild Crossroads of Rivers and Migration

The Pian di Spagna is a vast wetland ecosystem covering nearly 1,600 hectares of protected landscape. Located between the Adda and Mera rivers, it serves as the scenic meeting point for northern Lake Como and Lake Mezzola, marking the historic crossroads where the Val Chiavenna and Valtellina valleys meet. Spanning five municipalities across the provinces of Como and Sondrio, this nature reserve was established in 1983. Today, it stands as a critical sanctuary for migratory birds and a vital stronghold for the preservation of the region’s unique plants and wildlife.

The 19th-century land reclamation projects

From a geological perspective, the Pian di Spagna is a relatively young landscape. During the Roman era, Lake Como and Lake Mezzola were actually a single, continuous body of water. Over the centuries, sediment and debris from the Adda River gradually accumulated, eventually forming a marshy plain. Once an uninhabitable area plagued by malaria, the land was transformed in the 19th century under Austrian rule through massive reclamation and drainage projects. It was during this period that the Adda was diverted to flow into northern Lake Como, and the Borgofrancone canal was built to channel runoff from Mount Legnone.

The Importance of Pian di Spagna for Migratory Birds

The reserve’s waters are rich with reeds and elegant water lilies, while the surrounding plains are a mosaic of hay meadows, orchards, and groves of willow, poplar, and oak. This varied environment is a paradise for birdwatchers; you can spot swans and cormorants on the open water, kingfishers darting along the riverbanks, and woodpeckers or blackcaps in the thickets. The reserve is open year-round, and for the best experience on certain routes, exploring with an official guide is highly recommended.

PIAN DI SPAGNA AND LAGO DI MEZZOLA NATURE RESERVE Via della Torre, 1/a - 22010 Sorico (Como) | Tel. +39 0344 84251.