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The Brabbia swampland reserve (SIC) develops between Lake Varese and Lake Comabbio, among the five municipalities of Casale Litta, Cazzago Brabbia, Inarzo, Ternate, and Varano Borghi.

The actual swamp is an example of a southern Piedmont peat bog of post-glacial origin. It formed after the withdrawal of the Verbano glacier which left a large basin joined to the present lakes of Varese, Comabbio, and this very wetland. Subsequently, the water subsided thanks to a drainage ditch in Lake Varese, and thus the swamp was born.

In 1981, this area was included in the first list of biotopes and geotopes of the Lombardy Region. Two years later, it was declared a regional nature reserve and, in 1984 it was awarded the title of “Wetland of International Importance”.

The swamp can be accessed from Inarzo, which is also home to the visitor centre and offers a large parking lot. Visitors can explore the educational pools and observe the rich flora and fauna.
There are also several birdwatching facilities and observation huts. After the visit, courses and classes can be held in the facility built for schools and scholars.
The swamp can also be reached on a cycle/pedestrian trail that runs along the border of this natural reserve. It is connected to Lake Varese but can also be reached from the Whirlpool parking lot in Cassinetta di Biandronno. Along this route, there are several bird-tagging stations open at specific times of the year. Finally, local guides can take visitors to an observation tower and a floating hut.

FAUNA AND FLORA

Visitors can also take a boat ride on Lake Varese, admiring the water birds that live in the swamp such as the great crested grebe, little grebes, coots, moorhens, grey herons, purple herons, black-crowned night herons, and many other species. This place is extremely popular among ornithologists and all the birdwatching enthusiasts (140 species thrive in this protected area).

From a vegetational point of view, the swamp features the typical water environment with species such as Phragmites australis, Carex elata, and Nuphar luteum; alders (Alnus glutinosa), and European spindles (Euonymus europaeus) are abundant as well.

NEARBY THE SWAMP
Boza Oasis is definitely worth including in any visit to the swamp.

PLEASE NOTE: boots are strongly recommended in case of rain during the winter months; bug-repellents are just as important during the summer.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)