The Lakes of Greece: The myths, the legends and the history behind them (Part 1)
The lakes of Greece are natural attractions of unique beauty, surrounded by rich flora and fauna. In addition to their natural beauty and ecological interest, myths and legends intertwined with history often blend the facts with fantasy! Nowadays, some of these lakes may not exist any more, but the legends connected to them are still alive and thriving! In this article, we will recapture some of the tales behind them.
The Lake Vegoritis
Lake Vegoritis (or Vegoritida) is one of the deepest natural lakes in Greece. It is located in Western Macedonia, Northern Greece, and belongs partly to the Florina Prefecture and the Pella Prefecture. The Voras mountains and Kaimaktsalan ski centre lie north of the lake.
The ecosystem of lake Vegoritis
Vegoritida is an essential habitat for many species of birds and, together with Lake Petron, is an almost unified ecosystem. One hundred sixty-two species of birds have been recorded in the area (of which 87 nest there) and 20 species of fish. In addition, the lake and the surrounding area are home to several mammals like foxes, badgers, weasels, ferrets, hares, wild boars and hedgehogs, with the occasional presence of wolves and bears.
The legend of lake Vergotis
As is usually the case with natural and other attractions, a myth accompanies the creation of Lake Vegoritida. The legend is that this lake results from a young girl's mistake. She sealed the mouth of a well, and a colossal flood covered the village and the nearby plain, creating Lake Vegoritida. Of course, this is just a myth, but historical evidence states that the lake has existed for thousands of years.
The Lake Volvi
Lake Volvi is located at the root of the Chalkidiki Peninsula, 35km east of Thessaloniki. It is the second-largest lake in the country. According to the Ramsar Convention, Lake Volvi and Lake Koronia, located only 11km apart, are a wetland of international importance. The area is also a protected site of the Natura 2000 network.
The ecosystem of the Lake Volvi
Lake Volvi has a rich fish fauna, which includes 24 species of fish. Among them is the fish Liparia (Alosa macedonica), which is endemic to the lake and is not found anywhere else in the world. Also, the area has 245 species of birds, including many migratory ones. For example, Lake Volvi is a vital breeding ground for Stachtotsiknia (Ardea cinerea). This bird nests at the lakeside hydrophilic forest of Apollonia -a forest of unique ecological value- on the south side of the lake.
The myth of the Lake Volvi
Lake Volvi exists in Greek mythology as the home of the nymph Volvi, the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. According to Stravon, the Nymph Volvi was the guardian of the lake. Volvi had a son with Hercules, Olynthos, who became the mythical King of Thrace and founder of the homonymous city.
The Lake Vouliagmeni
Lake Vouliagmeni is the most famous lake in Attica and one of Athens's eeriest and most magical landscapes. It was once a large cavern that collapsed about 2,000 years ago after an earthquake. This is why there are no reports about the lake in ancient texts. Vouliagmeni Lake is supplied with warm seawater through an underground channel spreading via a network of flooded caves. Hence, the temperature ranges steadily around 24 °C, whereas a freshwater spring reduces its salinity. Its waters are also rich in minerals, such as potassium, iron, sodium, calcium, etc. Due to these advantageous conditions, the lake has functioned as a spa since the 19th century.
Vouliagmeni lake is only half an hour's drive from the centre of Athens. Image by Sven Hansche, @shutterstock
The ecosystem of the Lake Vouliagmeni
The lake hosts a species of sea anemone (Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis) that exists only in Vouliagmeni and was discovered in 1980. The lake also hosts two mollusc species and a fish species in the shallow areas. It is the first time scientists have detected this fish species in a body of water that does not communicate with the sea or in salty conditions. The lake has been declared a natural monument by the Greek State and is part of the Natura 2000 network.
The legend of the Lake Vouliagmeni
The Lake of Vouliagmeni possesses an almost magical and mysterious energy. Along with an underwater cave -which is impossible to explore fully- it has the largest underground tunnel in the world, with a length of 800m and a complex, unexplored network of labyrinths. The cave that dominates most of the lake, its unknown depth and its strong currents are the reason for the stories about the lake's fairy. According to the legend, a fairy lives in the lake's depths and lurks at young divers who try to enter the underwater cave. To date, eight divers have lost their lives in an attempt to explore the mysterious lake.
The Lake Orestiada
The Lake Orestiada, or the Lake of Kastoria, is considered one of the most beautiful lakes of the Balkans. It is located in the Kastoria regional area of Macedonia, in northwestern Greece and was formed about 10 million years ago. It drains into the Haliacmon, the longest river in Greece.
The ecosystem of the Lake Orestiada
The lake has rich bird fauna, as more than 200 species are in the area. It is a critical habitat for breeding, travelling and wintering species and some predators. It is also particularly rich in fish fauna and is considered the second-richest lake in Greece. It is a fishing place with the most common species of carp, pike and perch living there. There also live an endangered mussels species called Unio Crassus. Its flora includes the floating Trapi, and the endemic to the Balcans Paronychia Macedonica.
The legend of the Lake Orestiada
According to local legends, in the northern part of Kastoria, there is a cave between the rocks and the lake, the "Dragon Cave". This cave was the impregnable lair of a mighty dragon, who protected the entrance of a gold mine in the centre of the mountain. Kastor, the founder of the city and his brother Polydefkis assigned a brave man the task of going into the cave a kill the Dragon. The brave man succeeded, so the King and his fellowmen continued deeper into the abyss of the cave. Finally, they reached a point where their torches went out, and darkness flooded the place. A chthonic voice threatened the men that they would find misery if they held mud from the cave in their hands. Some of the men disobeyed and filled their hands with dirt. When they finally came into the light, they saw liquid gold covering their hands!
Orestiada lake of Kastoria is one of the most picturesque in the Balkan area. Image by Pit Stock @shutterstock
The Lake Trichonida
Lake Trichonida is also called "The Sea" and is the largest lake in Greece. It is located in the eastern part of Aetolia-Acarnania, in western Greece. A million years ago, the lake was more prominent and covered a more significant part of Aetolia-Acarnania that is now plain. Its waters are constantly renewed by underwater springs. At the same time, through a moat, they are drained to the adjacent lake of Lysimachia, and from there, they flow into the Acheloos river, the second larger river in Greece. For this reason, Trichonida is considered one of the cleanest lakes in Greece. The hydrocarbon lake Trichonida Lacus on the Saturnian moon Titan was named after this lake.
The ecosystem of the Lake Trichonida
In addition to its natural beauty, the area has incredible biodiversity. Trichonida is one of the few areas in Greece where otters live. The lake has a rich bird fauna, with more than 200 birds living there. The very rare Purple Egret is one of them. Trichonida also hosts 25 species of fish, 11 of which are endemic to Greece. Nanogovios is a species of fish that is found only in Lake Trichonida. It is a small fish (about five centimetres long) and lives in the tidewaters. Around the lake are beautiful forests with maples, pines, planes, poplars, willows and oleanders.
The legend of the Lake Trichonida
According to the legend that circulated in the area in 1890 -attracting many hunters of mysteries and legends- in its deep waters lived a scary creature. With its loud cries, it was scaring the inhabitants of the area. Although that creature was never officially seen or found by anybody, most testimonies converge that the lake's monster was a giant frog.
The Prespa Lakes
The Prespa Lakes are two freshwater lakes at Greece, Albania and North Macedonia borders. As the name reveals, the Great Prespa is the biggest and sprawls among Greece, Albania and North Macedonia. The Little Prespa is the smaller one and sprawls between Greece and Albania. They are the highest tectonic lakes in the Balkans.
The Little Prespa Lake lie at the border of Greece and Albania. Image by Petia Miladinova @shutterstock
The ecosystem of the Prespa Lakes
In Prespa Lakes live more than 40 mammals, about 260 species of birds, 11 amphibians, 20 species of reptiles and 15 species of fish. Its rich flora includes more than 1300 plants and a cluster of centuries-old mountain cypresses. Regarding the bird fauna, the lakes host two species of pelicans -the Rose Pelican and the Silver Pelican in significant numbers. The silver one is one of the rarest species of pelicans in the world.
The legend of the Prespa Lakes
According to legend, a monster that terrorised the inhabitants of the neighbouring city of Ohrid in North Macedonia created the Prespa Lakes. Saint Naum, the protector of the area, to save the inhabitants from the monster, confronted and knocked it down on the rocks of the mountain Galicica. The monster's fall caused a big rift, and the water of the Ohrid lake spilt to the other side, creating the Great and the Little Prespa.
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Next: The Lakes of Greece: The myths, the legends and the history behind them (Part 2)