Behind Poniatowski Palace lies the lava promontory of Capodimonte, known as “the Pontonata.” Once cultivated as vegetable gardens and now transformed into private terraced gardens, it was the site of Capodimonte’s earliest parish church, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo, recorded as being part of the Orvieto diocese in 1102. When digging for the first aqueduct in 1925, numerous human bones were found, a testament to the old custom of burying the dead within church grounds.
The view of the lake from this spot is breathtaking: volcanic rocks plunge sharply into the blue waters, reaching depths of 4-10 metres. The rock crevices and roots of tall trees provide nesting spots for mallard ducks, whose green-headed males and camouflaged brown females can be seen teaching their ducklings to swim in the warmer months.
Occasionally, an elegant egret from Orbetello lagoon can be seen, perched quietly among the rocks or reeds. During the winter, icy waters form delicate icicles on branches exposed to the chilly Tramontana wind.