Have you ever swam in an extinct volcano?

In the photo below can you see the shadows of the clouds on the lake? Cast ajar is this now extinct volcano in the center of which is now Lake Albano! I swam in it twice; it was grrrreat! Welcome to Castelgandolfo. This is a town built on the brim of a volcanic lake hight in the Alban hills, just about 18 miles southeast of Rome. The air is cleaner here without the foggy miasma composed of dirt and carbon monoxide that plagues our wheezing lungs while in Rome!

Since a.D. 1629 the summer palace of the popes has been here. It was most fun to swim in the lake while looking up at the papal palace high above on the ridge. I thought of the Pope there and I wondered what he was doing at the moment. The palace complex is large with a lovely chapel, a model farm, rooms for the Swiss Guardsmen, as well as lovely gardens from the classic sylvan world of perfect landscaping. While in the waters I admired the holly oaks, cypresses, laurels and manicured shrubs all guarding the complex.

The sand on the beach is black. Is it volcanic tufa? I swam in front of the overgrown ruins of what appeared to be a small, blitzed industrial site...., but it was actually what's left of the stands from the 1960 Summer Olympic games that were held in Rome. Canoeing is still popular on the lake. The Pope goes there every July to escape from the hot Roman sun! Rent a boat and maybe the Pope will see you from his study!